Arsenal players held a meeting to address their performances this season following the resignation of Jonas Eidevall, interim manager Renee Slegers disclosed. After a rocky start to the season, Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory over Valerenga in the Women’s Champions League the day after Eidevall’s departure. Eidevall stepped down due to the team’s poor performance, having only collected five points from their first four Women’s Super League matches. Additionally, Arsenal suffered a 5-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League debut. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to clinch a win against Valerenga, with late goals from Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo sealing the victory at the Emirates.
Emily Fox scored early in the second minute to put Arsenal in the lead, which was doubled by Caitlin Foord before halftime. Although Valerenga managed to pull one goal back, Arsenal held on to secure only their second win of the season. Slegers commended the team’s response to the challenging situation, stating, “I’m happy for them and credit to them because they also got together yesterday and felt that they need to step up, and I think that’s what you see today on the pitch.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining this level of performance moving forward.
Slegers will lead Arsenal in their upcoming match against West Ham before the international break, providing the club with an opportunity to appoint a permanent replacement for Eidevall. Reflecting on the recent events, Slegers described the past few days as “hectic,” expressing admiration for Eidevall’s contributions to the club over the years. She acknowledged the emotional impact of his resignation but highlighted the importance of focusing on the task at hand and preparing the team for their matches amidst the upheaval.
As the Arsenal squad navigates this transitional period, fans and stakeholders await news of a new permanent manager to lead the team forward in their quest for success in domestic and international competitions.