Renee Slegers denies unrest in Arsenal camp

Renee Slegers hit back strongly at reports of unrest in the Arsenal dressing room.

A report in The Athletic during the international break alleged splits in the Gunners’ camp and dissent over player power.

Slegers’ side won the Champions League last season but have had a mixed start to this campaign and sit eight point behind Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City.

“We won the Champions League, historically Arsenal has been the most successful team in England,” said Slegers.

“There will be noise, there is noise. That’s all on the outside. We know what we’re doing on the inside. It’s a high-performance environment so it’s a very challenging environment, we demand a lot of things from each other and it should be like that.

“Every group of people will have things that they have to manage and get through. I am very positive about where we are at.

“We’re in a process, I believe in the process and we’re going in a really good direction. It’s unfortunate that is what’s written about us when we’re doing so many good things.”

Arsenal return to league action on Saturday against Liverpool, who sit bottom of the table but held Chelsea to a draw last month.

The Gunners will be without goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, meaning Anneke Borbe is set to make her debut, and England winger Chloe Kelly through injury.

But Slegers can welcome back midfielder Kim Little and, for the first time this season, England captain Leah Williamson, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the European Championship.

“Leah has a presence, which sometimes even without speaking it sets standards and creates a certain environment,” said the Arsenal boss. “It will be really, really good to have her back. It’s such a win for the team.”

Chelsea are in action on Sunday against Everton, when they will bid to claim victory for the first time in three WSL matches after back-to-back draws.

Sonia Bompastor’s unbeaten record domestically remains intact but they sit three points behind City.

The Frenchwoman insisted there is no sense of trying to preserve their long run without losing, saying: “I will always try to win the games. I think that’s who we are as a club.

“I think we are in a good place in the table and we want to show our ambition going into every game. The game on Sunday is really important, we know the league is really competitive and it’s getting even more difficult each season.”

Erin Cuthbert is sidelined after a blow to the head playing for Scotland while midfielder Wieke Kaptein is a doubt with a back problem.

City are away at Leicester on Sunday while Manchester United host West Ham, Tottenham face Aston Villa and Brighton travel to London City Lionesses.