Renee Slegers hails progress of 'gritty' Arsenal midfielder | OneFootball

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers has praised the form of young midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross ahead of the side's Women's FA Cup meeting with Liverpool on Sunday.

Cooney-Cross has been in strong form of late, picking up Arsenal's Player of the Month award for January. The 23-year-old made a real difference last Sunday as the Gunners pulled off a remarkable 4-3 comeback victory over West Ham United.

"I think the role that she plays for Arsenal is quite a complex role," Slegers explained. "We ask a lot of things. There's a high demands on players, and that role both in and out of possession. I think especially if you look at her detail out of possession, it's improved so much, and it's because it takes time to get used to the way we want to do things."

The Australian had to wait patiently on the bench after joining the north London club in the summer of 2023, playing behind seasoned veterans Lia Walti and Kim Little. Slegers noted that she has been "very happy" with Cooney-Cross's determination and patience.

"I'm very happy with with Kyra's patience and and grit to keep working hard, and that's what she's done. Her chances have come, and she's taken the chances well."

Arsenal currently sit third in the league standings / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Cooney-Cross may be one of the WSL's best midfielders, but she isn't the only in-form player in north London, as several Gunners continue to step up across the board.

"If we're good as a collective, then individuals can blossom," Slegers expressed. "I'm happy with it not being the same individuals all the time, but it's spread across the squad, which means that we're good as a collective at the moment. We're willing to do the work and do the job for individuals to be good in the games. I think that also says something about our unpredictability as a team, that we can do it in different ways."

The Gunners will now shift focus toward an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool. Arsenal have historically been a powerhouse in the tournament, boasting a record 14 titles, though a recent drought has meant the last victory was back in 2016.

"It's important we know where we're at. The girls knows the stats of of being the last time in 2016 and there's been 14 [titles], and we want to make it 15. So, that's definitely a carrot for us and something that's that drives us forward.

"But, I don't think just knowing that and saying I want to go for that is going to make the difference. It's the actions you do and the behaviours you show day in, day out, in and around the training pitch, in and around the training ground, that's going to make the difference. That's going to lead to us potentially having a bigger chance to to winning trophies."