'Much stronger this year' – Arsenal boss admits Tottenham progress

Reene Slegers was reflecting in a candid interview after the latest North London Derby, where she went on to admit that Tottenham have been “much stronger this year than last year.” The Champions League-winning head coach went on to credit the Lilywhites for their aggressive pressing structure and boldness on the ball.

Acknowledgement like this, especially coming from a straight rival, shows how far Spurs women have come under Martin Ho.

Speaking on the sidelines after the game, Renee Slegers said (via. Chris Cowlin Youtube Channel)

“I think the first half was, um, kind of feeling each other out, and, um, I think Tottenham are much stronger this year than last year.

“They have a more aggressive pressing structure. They can do it physically and are very brave on the ball when they build, and especially in our press.”

It surely was a brave performance from Martin Ho & Co. to take a point against Arsenal. This not only earned Tottenham their fourth clean sheet of the Women’s Super League season and their sixth across all competitions but also showed how this side has the resilience that it takes to come through a result against big sides.

And this has not only propelled the North Londoners to be level on points with Arsenal on the WSL table after nine games but also prompted tactical respect (and even anxiety) from the visitors last weekend, especially given how they have been more accustomed to dominating this game usually every year.​

Lilywhites ladies goalkeeper Lize Kop, who put in a strong performance between the sticks, also spoke about how the girls have been working hard behind the scenes to put up a performance like this.

TTLB Opinion

Looking at it from a perspective, this North London Derby did not only end in a stalemate, but this result in a way also signals a power shift in North London. This shows that this Tottenham women’s side is now a force that every Women’s Super League contender must reckon with. And when rivals openly start crediting your progress, you know that the progress is real.

Now the Lilywhites ladies have also been linked with a move to bring one of the better prospects on a record deal in women’s football in Signe Gaupset. This should take the technical abilities of the roster to another level.