Arsenal Women's Champions Cup Final: Slegers Hails Benzina's Impact Ahead of Corinthians Clash
In a stirring prelude to the Women's Champions Cup final, Arsenal manager Renée Slegers has lauded the trailblazing influence of hijab-wearing footballer Nouhaila Benzina, while issuing a stern warning against complacency as her team gears up to face Brazilian champions Corinthians. The showdown, set for Sunday at the Emirates Stadium, pits the Women's Super League giants against the South American title-holders in a historic cross-continental clash.
Slegers on Benzina: A Symbol of Football's Inclusivity
Reflecting on Benzina's participation with Moroccan side AS Far in the semi-finals, Slegers emphasised the broader societal impact of such representation. "The strength of football in society is that football is for everyone," she stated. "It's really good that we have role models in all possible ways to show that football is for everyone. That just makes me happy. It's important. There are so many examples and different ways of how we can show that football is for everyone. This is one of them, so that's great."
More broadly, Slegers highlighted the significance of clubs from developing women's football regions showcasing their talents on a global stage. "Norms have to be broken to get where we want women's football to go," she remarked. "That's what they're doing. They're trailblazers and they're doing things that are bigger than what they maybe know they're doing."
Arsenal's Path to the Final and the Challenge Ahead
Arsenal secured their place in the final with a commanding 6-0 victory over AS Far at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, a match that marked the first official competitive encounter between European and African club teams. Despite the comfortable win, Slegers acknowledged the unknown threat posed by Corinthians, who triumphed over Gotham FC in their semi-final.
"We are very proud to be in this tournament, we are very proud to be the champions of Europe and we look forward to playing against the champions of South America," said Slegers. "We are very respectful of the opposition, we are very humble also because of the unknown. So, we go into this game believing in ourselves and knowing how good we are. We are happy to play at the Emirates, our home stadium, but we will also respect the opposition. It's a final, so they're going to give absolutely everything, together with the fans. We're prepared for that."
Squad Availability and Fan Energy
Slegers confirmed that she has the same squad available as for the AS Far match, with positive updates on key players. "I'm really happy to have Chloe Kelly back," she noted, adding that "Leah Williamson is progressing really well." She also stressed the importance of player health amid a busy schedule, stating, "Scheduling is very important. We grow the game and we want a lot of things, but we also have to have the players' health in mind in all the decisions we make."
The manager anticipates a vibrant atmosphere at the Emirates, drawing from the energy displayed by Corinthians fans during their semi-final. "They're going to bring the intensity together with their fans," Slegers observed. "They were amazing watching the game against Gotham with the energy they brought. Our fans are going to bring energy and the intensity as well. It will be a great football event."
A Historic Opportunity and a Call to Focus
With the chance to be crowned inaugural global club champions, Slegers expressed excitement for the final but cautioned against overconfidence. "We're very excited about the final, we look forward to it and it's a special moment for us, for the players, for the club," she said. "The team's in a good place. We have to work really hard to keep on delivering and sustain our levels. So we can't be complacent about anything, especially not going into this final because Corinthians are a very good team."
As women's football continues to grow globally, this final represents not only a competitive pinnacle but also a celebration of diversity and progress in the sport.
