Arsenal’s Emily Fox says her side has plenty of leaders who are making their voices heard in the dressing room.
And she added that the entire squad – including the backroom staff – are united in getting the Gunners out of their current predicament.
“I think the last four games have been tough,” Fox said to the BBC, “but we’ve been through situations like this last year.
“For us, it’s all about being present, next action. Especially playing at home, it’s always a statement, so I think we’re excited and ready to get out there and play.”
Emily Fox: It’s a collaboration
She was talking ahead of Arsenal’s Women’s Super League match at the Emirates against Brighton and Hove Albion.
But their last win came on Friday, 12th September, when they beat West Ham United 5-1. Since then, they have drawn twice, first with Manchester United and then with Aston Villa, and then lost twice – to Manchester City last weekend, and then to Lyon in the UEFA Women’s Champions League in midweek.
Nevertheless, Fox insisted that the squad are united, and asked who the dressing room leaders were, she replied: “I would say it’s a collective.”
She added: “For sure, people that stand out would be Katie [McCabe], Beth [Mead], Leah [Williamson], Steph [Catley], Lotte [Wubben-Moy], Kim [Little – I think we have a lot of leaders in the group and also a lot of people that are there for each other and want to help the team collectively, and then with that, the staff, so I think it’s more of a collaboration.”
Renee Slegers: We work on factors together
Head coach Renee Slegers said in her programme notes: “When you’re on a tough run like this, it does something to the group. It requires us all to dig deep and continue to solve problems, even when those challenges aren’t as tangible as others.
“Whether there are psychological, physical or technical factors, we work on them together. We’re critical, but we have to ensure we critique without being rash.
“It was so important last season to create an environment where players and staff felt able to share and reflect. When emotions were high, we had to do our best to manage them because they take a toll. It’s impossible to pretend they’re not there, but what we can do is let them energise rather than exhaust us. I believe that to find our way again we have to remain supportive of one another. We can only get there together.”
