Leah Williamson on high standards and bouncing back.
Overturning a two-goal deficit in tomorrow’s UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid will be no mean feat, but our squad is more than ready for the challenge.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Leah Williamson acknowledged that the group’s reflections following last week’s disappointing result had helped raise standards for the decisive home leg.
“There was a general feeling that we wasted a potential opportunity,” said Leah. “We know that we have more and that’s frightening for other teams because I think in the [first leg], we were still competitive. But the standards of Arsenal are higher than they were last Wednesday.
“When you give everything and it’s just not enough, that’s different. But when you’re underperforming, then you look inwards first. The team is very good at doing that, at problem solving, at talking to each other, staying together. The product of that recently has been great, which is good but it’s something that you have to constantly work on.
“It’s something that, on the pitch, you can’t take for granted. There are themes that we always have running through the group: there are no days off. You can’t work at full intensity every day because you have to manage training sessions, but being present and being impactful with what you say, when you say it and your actions in that way towards your teammates. I don’t think we have days off when it comes to those things.”
Every word of Renée and Leah’s pre-Madrid presser
The opportunity to change the tie comes with a home advantage in north London, with over 20,000 supporters expected to be in attendance.
“We’re very lucky here because that stage tomorrow night isn’t foreign to us. Being part of Arsenal means that you play in front of big crowds and you’re always competing with every team.
“Stepping out at the Emirates every time, when that many people turn up to watch you, we take it seriously. Every game is important to us, but I’d say, in terms of the challenges ahead, it’s an exciting one at the very least.
For Leah and other members of the squad, the similarities to the Champions League quarter-final comeback against Bayern Munich are still valuably fresh.
“The experience of overturning the last quarter-final against Bayern Munich comes in handy. That was a great memory.
“Good things happen in football, bad things happen in football. When the good things happen, you keep them in your pocket just as much as the bad, but you call on them when you need them. I think anybody involved in that game will take confidence from that, knowing that we know how to do it. It’s almost an identical situation.”
As the only English side to have ever won the competition, Leah believes this legacy only serves to spur the current squad on.
“I know the people that came before me that won that Champions League for Arsenal want us to be the only club to have done it. So we take that on as well.
“It would be incredible [to win it again]. I’m an Arsenal fan. I grew up at this club so that’s the dream. I think it’s a dream for everybody. We keep working until that becomes possible and we can make that happen. Tomorrow night is another step in that journey.”
