Daphne van Domselaar says Arsenal ‘are on a roll’ under Renee Slegers as they aim to extend unbeaten run
DAPHNE VAN DOMSELAAR relishes putting her goalkeeping talents to the test.
The upbeat Arsenal star, 24, and her club pals have come through some testing moments in the WSL and Champions League this season.
Some mixed results — which included three winless matches at the Emirates — were followed by ex-Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall departing last October.
Those early-season hurdles have since been overcome by the resurgent Gunners, who are third and seven points off leaders Chelsea.
Following their clash with Crystal Palace this afternoon an away duel with the Blues awaits them next Sunday.
In the past three months under their now permanent head coach Renee Slegers, the WSL giants have been on an unbeaten run of ten wins and one draw in the top flight and Europe.
Matches in which Van Domselaar, who this term has made 12 WSL and Women’s Champions League appearances, has started in goal.
The Dutch international, who began her senior career at FC Twente in 2017, said: “Earlier this season we didn’t feel we were playing as well as we can.
“After the change in October, we have a common goal. We’re on a roll.
“We kept on winning and have grown in every single game as a team and as individuals.
“That’s been great and everyone is on the same page.
“Especially from our home win against Valerenga (in the Champions League).
“In that moment we got that extra percentage and fire that brought through this streak of winning.”
That togetherness and clearness Renee provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team.
Daphne van Domselaar
A breath of fresh air is how Arsenal’s England forward Beth Mead described Slegers, who has been in charge since that win against Valerenga and earned the respect of fans.
It’s a view shared by Van Domselaar who also sees similarities between the Arsenal boss and her Dutch compatriot the Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman.
Van Domselaar adds: “Renee is a really calm coach to have on the sidelines.
“That togetherness and that clearness she provides gives us more confidence individually as players but also as a team.
“When I speak to the girls here at Arsenal who play for England, they’re really happy with Sarina and her approach in being direct, straightforward and providing clarity.
“That’s also what Renee does. She’s really clear and gives us good guidance around things to work on.
“That’s something they have in common.
“Renee has good staff around her who support her and they are really doing it together.”
With four trophies including the WSL title up for grabs, Arsenal hope to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions when they host Palace at 2pm today.
And then at Stamford Bridge next Sunday against title holders Chelsea.
A match that could see Van Domselaar face her friend and national team-mate Wieke Kaptein.
The midfielder, 19, has impressed for the Blues this term in her seven WSL appearances following a one-season loan spell at her former club Twente.
The Gunners stopper, who is an avid photographer in her spare time, added: “It’s hard to see Wieke as a Chelsea player.
“She’s new to the club and there’s a rivalry but we’ve been friends for longer — I played with her for about four years at Twente.
“I just see Wieke as Wieke and it’s great to see her get minutes — but I also want to win against her.
Victory against Palace at Meadow Park today would push Arsenal up to second above Manchester City before the Cityzens’ clash with Man United at the Etihad tonight.
The matches are two of three derby duels taking place today with West Ham hosting Chelsea.
Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bring
Daphne van Domselaar
Of the Gunners derby clash today, Van Domselaar said: “Crystal Palace will be a hard team to play against.
“We need to win that and every game.
“We’ll give our best against them and from there we’ll go and see what will be at Chelsea.
“We’ll do everything to be our best in that moment.”
With Arsenal unbeaten under Slegers, Gunners fans will be dreaming of a first title win since 2019.
Van Domselaar adds: “Hopefully we can win prizes. That’s what we want to do and what we work for every day
“We want to win the Women’s Super League but we’ll go game-by-game and from there we’ll see.
“We’d love to win the Champions League one day.
“Of course you want to win every cup and competition. Let’s see what the next few months will bring.”
Van Domselaar’s first coach at Twente, Tommy Stroot, described the 2023 Ballon d’Or nominee as a pure, natural talent.
Her journey to becoming one of the most talented goalkeepers in Europe began at 11 with Dutch club LSVV before joining Telstar’s Academy ahead of a Twente move.
And standout performances at the 2022 Euros paved the way for a June 2023 move to Aston Villa before Arsenal triggered a release clause to sign her last July.
Reflecting on her Euros performance and move to England, Van Domselaar said: “You have these tournaments where you’re on a roll, you’re in the moment and everything goes well.
“I was in that place where I felt like the best version of myself.
“After that moment I chose to stay in the Netherlands for an extra year at Twente to see if I could continue having that form.
“I’m really happy that I did that and had a year to think about what I wanted to do after
“I still had to grow a lot especially coming from the Eredivisie to the WSL.
“But I’ve grown a lot in the past season and the past two years.
You can only test yourself if you’re put in a harder environment.
“The league here is the most competitive in Europe so that was a big step. I said to myself, ‘Let’s see how good I actually am’.
Along with club team-mate Victoria Pelova Van Domselaar, is one of 13 Dutch aces currently playing in the Women’s Super League.
Her national team are one of England’s group stage rivals at this year’s Women’s Euros taking place in Switzerland in July.
Both sides were steered to glory in the contest by Wiegman who led the Netherlands to the title in 2017 before lifting the trophy with the Lionesses five years later.
The Gunners star added: “It’s always good to play against England because you know it will be a hard game but also an exciting one especially after the last Euros.
“It will be a good check of where we are as a team.
“It’s good we’ve had players coming back from injury like Jill Roord. Hopefully Victoria (Pelova) will be back as well and we’ll be full force.”