‘We have a big focus on ourselves’ – Slegers previews Arsenal’s fixture against Brighton

Arsenal’s interim head coach Renée Slegers says that her side’s focus is on themselves as they prepare to face a much-improved Brighton & Hove Albion team.

The Gunners play host to The Seagulls at the Emirates Stadium this evening.

Brighton & Hove Albion are almost unrecognisable to the team that Arsenal have so often beaten in the past. When speaking in the pre-match press conference, interim boss Slegers said that she is well-aware of the Sussex club’s threats but the big focus is on Arsenal.

“We have a big focus on ourselves and belief in ourselves,” Slegers said. “We know we have areas to work on but we see ourselves as a top team.

“Of course, Brighton have been doing really well and recruited top players, so we respect them as an opponent, but we try to see what we can bring to the game. Every team will have strengths and weaknesses and Brighton will have that as well.”

Going on to discuss Brighton & Hove Albion’s qualities, Slegers highlighted both the individual and collective characteristics of the team that pose opponents problems.

She said “They have good individual qualities in all units I would say, so that’s obviously something that makes them stronger. They have some set-ups in their game tactically that can be hard for the opposition to solve. For example, the way they set up in their build and invest a lot of numbers – they’re things the opposition needs to solve.

“They’re playing a smart game, a game that they believe in. I would say it’s a high-risk, high-reward game that they’re playing and we hope to exploit that.”

After six Barclays Women’s Super League matches, Arsenal are seven points adrift of the league summit. Slegers says that every game is important to The Gunners regardless of the opponent.

She said “It’s still early in the season, but I think all games are important and this is going to be an important game for us.”

Arsenal’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion kicks-off at 7pm this evening. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.