Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press this morning ahead of Arsenal’s Barclays Women’s Super League clash with Everton. The Swedish manager also spoke in regards to the club’s announcement that Manuela Zinsberger has extended her contract with the Gunners, reflecting on the goalkeeper’s journey with Arsenal so far and what she can still achieve in North London.
‘I think Manu has been very good for us, both on the pitch with her footballing abilities but also as a leader of the group. As a person [she] sets really high standards, both for herself and for the team. Really happy about having her as a part of the goalkeeping team going forward.’
The Austrian international is rumoured to have signed a three-year extension with the club, as the 28 year-old gears up for what Eidevall anticipates to be her prime performance window.
‘It differs so much for an outfield player, where you would say the age is 24-28. Goalkeepers usually have their peak after 30, and it’s such a difference in age. It’s so exciting with Manu, we believe and she believes that she has the best of her footballing years in front of her.’
Embed from Getty ImagesSaturday’s clash ‘too soon’ for Leah Williamson
After hinting at the imminent return of Leah Williamson in last week’s press conference proceedings, Eidevall confirmed that Saturday’s fixture with Everton will be ‘a little bit too soon’ for England’s captain.
Despite the confirmation that Williamson will remain absent in Arsenal’s home clash with Everton, disappointment is sure to be short-lived for Gunners fans. When asked whether Arsenal’s next fixture is a more plausible return date for Williamson, Eidevall responded ‘potentially, yes.’
Embed from Getty ImagesSights set on Everton
In what was a disappointing end to the calendar year for the Gunners as they faced defeat in the North London Derby, Eidevall’s armoury now set their sights on an upcoming clash with Everton in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
After facing a pile up of injury woes, Brian Sørensen’s Toffees have had what may be considered an undesirable start to proceedings in their 2023/24 league campaign. Despite the eleven points that currently seperate the two sides, Eidevall refused to dismiss the threat of Sørensen’s Everton side.
‘They’ve been consistent in the way that they’ve been playing, they haven’t let short-term results influence too much on the belief in what they are trying to achieve as a group long-term. I think both the team and Brian have been very calm and methodological in the way that they’ve been handling that as well.’
Embed from Getty Images‘They’ve picked up some results here lately, but the reality has been that in some of the games earlier on in the season, they could have picked up results as well, but they didn’t. So, it’s been good to see them having belief in the way that they play being long-term, and they’re ambition- I think that’s what payed off for them here.’
Arsenal gear up to host Everton in the Barclays Women’s Super League this Saturday at Meadow Park, with the action kicking off at 2pm.
