‘We have to be better in the critical moments’ – Arsenal boss Slegers reacts to defeat at Manchester City

‘We have to be better in the critical moments’ – Arsenal boss Slegers reacts to defeat at Manchester City Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers said that her side need to be better in the big moments after they slipped to a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners led twice in the North West, but eventually surrendered their advantage and came away with nothing. Speaking to the media after the match, Slegers shared her reflections on the game, highlighting the need for Arsenal to be better in critical moments. “I think really good to get a lead in the first half,” Slegers said. “Towards the end of the first half, we just need to protect it [the lead] and that’s a really vulnerable moment. That’s why we just have to shut it down. It happens when Mariona [Caldentey] is down, so one player down. “I think we scored a really good goal with Foordy [Caitlin Foord] pressing really aggressively and Less [Alessia Russo] finishes it really good, so the start of the second half is really good. We have a lead twice. “I think especially that one at the end of the first half is not what we wanted. We know that these games are tight and they have quality. We wanted to control it better too. I think there are a lot of momentum shifts when it comes to football, so momentum shifts when it comes to energy in the game, especially in the second half. We go and try to put more pressure on the play; we play, we change system. “We have to be better in the critical moments in the game. We were there, we had it and then we didn’t have it. That’s what it’s felt like now for a while for us.” The pressure is mounting on Slegers after a poor run of results, but she said that the club remains united. She said “The last couple of days, we’ve been together as a club, as a team which supports aligning one direction. Of course, this result is disappointing. I’m here, I’m full of energy, I care a lot for the club, for the players and I see perspective. “It’s good with the international break coming up. I think it’s good for the players, they change environments, they play their football elsewhere and then come back in with new energy.” While the players are away with their national teams, Slegers revealed that she will be working hard to find solutions. She said “We’re going to have a look in the international break, watch everything else in the background to make sure that we turn every stone to see how we can put the place in the best possible position to be performing on matchday. This first week is really about reviewing and sitting down with people, looking at all aspects of the programme and then I will try to be off for the weekends. The next week is more about the preview for the next block.” After the game, Slegers quickly went over to the traveling fans and applauded them. She commented on why she opted to do this. She said “I mostly went there to thank them, connect with them, show them that I care for them and appreciate them going up to Manchester. I think there was 2,500, amazing. Also showing them that I feel sorry for them because I’m, of course, a big part of it and things are within my control. To come here, I just wanted to connect with them instead of walking away and hiding because I don’t know how they’re going to react on me. I just wanted to tell them I thank them for being there for us.” Arsenal return to action after the international break when they face Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.