Renee Slegers: Interim manager says Arsenal clash a ‘bump in the road’

Interim boss Renee Slegers said it is a “bump in the road” that Arsenal have been forced to move their Women’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich from the Emirates Stadium due to a scheduling conflict with the men’s team. .

The match, Arsenal’s final group stage match, will be played on Wednesday, December 18 and the club has been selling tickets since September.

However, it now clashes with the Carabao Cup quarter-final between the men’s team and Crystal Palace.

“I think it’s been a very difficult dilemma for the club: two big teams competing in competitions,” Slegers said.

“I think what we have been doing very well is driving the growth of women’s football for a long time.

“So I think this is a bump in the road, but what Arsenal have done for women’s football over time is very strong.”

The only midweek day available for Crystal Palace, if they want to have two days of rest between matches, is Wednesday, as they have televised Premier League matches the Sunday before and the Saturday after.

There is an additional problem surrounding the EFL Cup scheduling, as Tottenham will face Manchester United, who also play in the league, at home on the previous Sunday. London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal cannot play important home games on the same night for police reasons.

Arsenal are now exploring alternatives with European governing body UEFA for the match against Bayern, including moving the match to Meadow Park in Borehamwood.

The women’s team has previously played most of its Women’s Super League (WSL) matches at Meadow Park, but the facilities there do not meet UEFA regulations.

“We hope to play against Bayern Munich and have a Champions League night either way,” Slegers added.