Arsenal vs Spurs (WSL) | Robert’s preview: “We want to show our fans that we are brave"
Sat 02 March 2024, 09:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Robert Vilahamn is looking forward to the challenge of Arsenal on Sunday afternoon (12.30pm kick-off) at the Emirates Stadium in our first Barclays Women’s Super League game back since the international break.
It’ll be our third north London derby of the campaign, previously drawing 3-3 in the group stage of the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup in December, although, the Gunners secured the extra point after a penalty shootout win.
But, just a few days after the Conti Cup, we welcomed Jonas Eidevall’s side to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and created history as Martha Thomas’ strike secured a 1-0 victory – the first win over the Gunners in our history.
That performance highlighted the steps taken forward in Robert’s first six months at the Club and, although the boss is keen to showcase the further progression in the squad, he is expecting another tough encounter in front of an expected sold-out stadium.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Robert said: “We are feeling very well ahead of the north London derby. We are expected to play in front a lot of people at their stadium and we won the last game against them, so we are very much looking forward to this game.
"We hadn’t beaten them before and that victory over them earlier in the season showed what we are capable of and shows what we want to do every game against the top sides.
“It was proof that we are taking steps and then, of course, to beat them again would be good and highlight that we are progressing forward even more. However, we know that it will be a really tough game.”
“We know the rivalry between the two clubs and we saw how much the supporters enjoyed the last game. We know how much it means, especially for me coming from abroad. I hope we can show that we can play good football and not wanting to go there to defend and hope for the best, we want to show our fans that we are brave enough and go for the win.”
Asked about the build-up to the game with the players away on international duty returning on Friday (1 March) morning, Robert added: “We didn’t have the best game against Aston Villa and then players are leaving directly after the game, so you couldn’t speak to the whole group about what was good and bad.
“You just have to accept that you will have to work with the players that remained and start to work ahead of Arsenal, but it’s only with half of the group. So, we had to recap with the players when they returned on Friday and quickly reviewed our last game.
“However, all the players will be sharp and will know what to do against Arsenal. It’s a process I’m getting use too and we just need to be sharp with our tactical analysis and focus on how we perform on Sunday.”
