Saturday, November 16, 2024

Pressure all on Arsenal – Vilahamn

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Tottenham boss Robert Vilahamn says the pressure will all be on Arsenal when the two sides meet in the north London derby on Saturday (13:45 GMT).

The Gunners are unbeaten in five games in all competitions under interim boss Renee Slegers but head to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium seven points behind WSL leaders Manchester City.

Tottenham go into the game seventh after losing four out of their last five games.

“They have had some really good results but if we win tomorrow they have a big, big problem in the league,” said Vilahamn.

“I think this is a good opportunity to play against them because and they still have an interim coach and they still are in the phase where they need to chase teams in the table.

“We just have to give everything we can to try to win this game, even if nobody perhaps expect us to. And I think being the underdog can be good for us.”

Here are the other key lines from Vilahamn’s news conference:

  • Vilahamn says last season’s win over Arsenal made him realise how big the game is for the fans.

  • He knows Slegers well after they studied for their Pro Licence together and believe she is a “top, top quality coach.”

  • The heavy defeat to Manchester City last week was “mentally a tough game” but Vilahamn still wants his players to be “brave” against Arsenal.

  • He says it will be a “brilliant” weekend for women’s football with teams playing at big stadiums.

  • Tottenham is a young team in the women’s game compared to an established side like Arsenal, but Vilahamn believes they can still compete with the Gunners.

  • There are bigger expectations after last season but sometimes the club needs to take “one step back to go two steps forward.”

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[BBC]

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