Renee Slegers explains why Arsenal fell on the shocking of a female defeat of FA Cup of Liverpool
Arsenal chief Renee Slegers reflected on the way out with shock FA Cup for the weekend, admitting that her side struggled to find any form of rhythm against Liverpool.
Gunners were understandably solid favorites that were entering the quarterfinals of the weekend, previously Liverpool rejected aside WSL earlier in the campaign. However, the Merseyside clothing has produced a fa cup shock from the season and with a narrow 1-0 victory at Meadow Park.
After a relatively calm first half in front of the goal, Sophie Roman Haug shot for Liverpool out of the outstretched ball in the Marie Hobinger box. The effort ahead ripped off the back of the network Arsenal Goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar and the hosts then fought to answer.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” Slegers said Arsenal.com After the game. “[Liverpool] Have a game style that asks you questions. We felt that we were a lot of pressure in the game.
“For us, Arsenal is a good way on the ball. That’s very important to us. We just didn’t have the quality we usually do on the ball.”
Despite enjoying more possession, Arsenal managed only one attempt to target as compared to the Liverpool three. They encouraged the equalizer in nine minutes of stopping, but the Sumgerus felt her side struggled to build any momentum.
“Several circumstances and stops do not allow us a rhythm, but it starts with our basics and the quality of the ball,” she added. “This is definitely what we can control and what we want to do better next time.
“The girls are very disappointed at the moment, and maybe tomorrow. They wanted so much more. But then we will just reset and go again, and on Friday we will have a match again.”
It should be a significant month for Arsenal with WSL matches against Everton, Liverpool and Crystal Palace coming. The key is to continue to push forward as rivals Manchester City are hot for heels in the race for Champions League football.
Their hopes of securing silver accessories are not fully diminished, however, as their quarterfinals against Real Madrid will be held in the Champions League. Their opponent is currently five points behind Barcelona leaders in the League F and is one of the teams that come and come in European football, making it a ticklish task for Arsenal.
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