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    Sarina Wiegman says players at women’s game’s highest levels ‘need proper rest’ amid injuries across top tiers

    SARINA WIEGMAN insists player welfare should come first when it comes to fixture schedules and the load put on elite women’s aces physically and mentally. And the Lionesses chief aims to take the form of her Euros winners to the next stage in order to topple their World Cup rivals.
    Sarina Wiegman says plays at the top levels of the women’s game should be given time for ‘a proper rest’ amid a rising number of injuriesCredit: PA
    The Lionesses boss was in the stands at the Emirates during a Champions League game in which Vivianne Miedema ruptured a knee ligamentCredit: PA
    Wiegman was sharing her thoughts with reporters a day before attending Arsenal’s Champions League duel with Lyon last Thursday.
    The England boss was watching the match from the stands when her Dutch compatriot Vivianne Miedema was stretchered off after a knee injury in the first half.
    Yesterday Arsenal confirmed the Gunners forward had ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament after landing awkwardly close to half-time.
    The injury saw the Dutch star, who won the 2017 Euros with the Netherlands under Wiegman, join a growing list of elite players across Europe currently sidelined by injuries.
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    They include Miedema’s Gunners team-mate Beth Mead. 
    The forward, shortlisted for the BBC’s Sports Personality of Year Award, sustained an ACL injury in November, four months after helping England to Euros triumph. 
    Wiegman said: “I really feel for Beth. Everyone who gets an ACL (injury) you feel for them. 
    “She did so well, she was in such a good place. I just hope she will recover. 
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    “It’s too early to say whether she will be (available for the World Cup).
    “We just take it easy now, (let her) first recover, and then over the next months we’ll see how it will develop. 
    “She has to become fit again, taking care of herself.
    “She knows she has all the support from Arsenal and all the support from us and the FA.”
    The injury to Miedema comes just under a month after the Arsenal forward called for Fifa and Uefa to listen to the concerns of players regarding their workloads. 
    When asked if match schedules is something that needs looking at Wiegman added: “In general, for the top, top level players, the schedule is too much. 
    “Some will have (to play in) five consecutive (international) tournaments in a row including the 2024 Olympics. 
    “The level of the game has improved and so the load on players physically and mentally – and you can’t split that because we are all human beings – does ask so much of them. 
    “The growth has gone so quickly so players also need a proper rest to get things settled down and (at present) they don’t have that rest. 
    “After the Euro’s for example, the Manchester City players only had a couple of days off because they went into the Champions League round again. 
    “That is not good. You can have that sometimes, but they need a rest. 
    “They need some rest just to get some headspace and get their heads and bodies right. 
    “I think Fifa, Uefa and the federations just need to do a little better job and all think of the players.”
    Wiegman hopes to see Beth Mead recover from her knee ligament injury and says the forward has her supportCredit: AP
    Next summer will be the third consecutive one in which a major international women’s football tournament takes place with the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. 
    It follows a year that has seen the profile of women’s football rise with 365 million people worldwide tuning in to watch the Euros this July. 
    Some of the international players from Europe’s top divisions sidelined by long-term injuries before the World Cup include Spain’s Alexia Putellas and France duo Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Griedge Mbock.
    Germany’s Guilia Gwinn, Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and United States ace Catarina Macario are also among a number of pros currently crocked.
    Wiegman said: “The game is also becoming a more professional game so the commercial part of it is an important one too. 
    France forward Marie-Antoinette Katoto is among a number of top players in Europe currently sidelined with an ACL injuryCredit: AFP
    “We need to put the players first. But if there are no commercial parties, how do we make a living and then you have a choice of whether you are a professional footballer anymore. 
    “It is (about) finding the balance and finding the best way. I think we can do a better job and give players a little more rest.”
    Next summer will see Wiegman’s Lionesses kick-off their quest to become the first England Women’s side to win a World Cup
    Players from the squad, set to be selected by Wiegman next year, will play their first group stage game in Brisbane Australia on July 22. 
    Wiegman reckons her team, currently ranked the fourth best in the world,  will need to take their game to the next level
    We’re always looking at players. The door is not closed for anyone playing at a top level.England Women’s boss Sarina Wiegman
    The team are unbeaten run under their boss with 26 games without a loss since last September.  
    The England chief added: “At the beginning of the tournament, because of the amount of countries that join in the groups, it will be a little bit different, 
    “But when you get further in the level is going to be so high, with different styles of play, different coaches, which is exciting and challenging. 
    Wiegman and her England players will begin their push to win the World Cup on July 22 with Denmark and China among their three group stage rivalsCredit: PA
    “But we have to take our game to the next stage, to make the chance of being successful as high as possible.”
    Wiegman admits her door for selection is open to players performing consistently at a ‘top level’ 
    And the head coach says she and her team have been keeping an eye on Manchester City’s Laura Coombs.
    The midfielder has netted four goals in nine WSL games with City going ten 10 games unbeaten across all contests since a loss to Chelsea in September.
    The player has made two senior Lionesses appearances with the first occurring England’s 2-1 defeat of China back in 2015.
    Wiegman said: “We look at Laura almost every week because she plays every week and, yes, we also see that she’s doing a good job
    “It’s all about quality, what do we need in the team. We’re always looking at players. 
    “With some positions, we have a lot of depth, in others not as much. It’s always open. 
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    Man City’s Laura Coombs is among the players Sarina Wiegman has been watching this seasonCredit: Getty
    “It’s all about talent and performing. showing up for your club team first.
    “The door is not closed for anyone playing at a top level.” More

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    Who is Beth Mead’s partner Vivianne Miedema? Arsenal stars relationship compared to ‘David and Victoria Beckham’

    BETH MEAD’S heroics inspired England’s Euros triumph this summer – but she’s not the only world-class footballer in her own house.Mead, 27, was one of the standout performers for the Lionesses, winning the Golden Boot and player of the tournament trophies.
    Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema are a coupleCredit: Instagram @bethmead_
    Both were nominated for the 2022 Ballon d’OrCredit: Getty
    Mead and Miedema went on holiday togetherCredit: Beth Mead / instagram
    She fired Sarina Wiegman’s side to glory with her six goals and five assists in just six games.
    Her performances on home soil have led to her being the favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
    The Arsenal attacker also came second for the Ballon d’Or this year being beaten by Alexis Putellas.
    Mead is an inspiration to many leading the way for women’s football in England.
    Who is Beth Mead’s partner Vivianne Miedema?
    Mead is dating her team-mate and fellow Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema.
    It was confirmed by Mead after her Euros win that she was going out with the 26-year-old Dutch striker.
    The duo are both goalscorers with Miedema one of the most prolific in the Women’s Super League.
    She has been at the Gunners for six seasons scoring 78 goals in 97 matches.
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    Miedema helped fire Arsenal to the WSL title alongside Mead in the 2018/19 season.
    The ex-Bayern Munich forward is a record breaking attacker just like her partner, she is the Netherlands’ all-time leading goalscorer finding the back of the net 95 times for her nation.
    She is also a European champion after winning the Euros in 2017.
    Mead joked that they are the David and Victoria Beckham of women’s football, saying: “Yeah – of the lesbian world.”
    Both found out they were nominated for the Ballon d’Or while on holiday together, Mead said: “I was buzzing. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
    “She [Miedema] said, ‘Yeah, it’s my fifth time. I’m really proud of you though’.”
    Miedema requires surgery after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
    Meanwhile, Mead is also in the treatment room with an ACL injury.
    Mead was previously in a relationship with Arsenal team-mate Danielle van de Donk.
    The duo are partners on and off the pitchCredit: Getty
    Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema found out about their Ballon d’Or nominations while away on holidayCredit: Instagram @bethmead_
    The Arsenal team-mates celebrated Mead’s Euros win togetherCredit: Miedema – Instagram More

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    Vivianne Miedema ‘gutted’ by ACL rupture with Arsenal star ‘ruled out for extended period’ following injury

    Vivianne Miedema confirmed she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament days after being stretchered off during Arsenal’s loss to Lyon in the Champions League. The Gunners forward, 26, will undergo an operation on her injury in the coming days and has been ruled out for ‘an extended period’.
    Vivianne Miedema admits she knew straight away that she had injured her ACLCredit: Getty
    The Arsenal forward is set for extended period on the sidelines following her injuryCredit: PA
    Arsenal say a more detailed timescale will be established after surgery on the Netherlands ace has been carried out. 
    Last Thursday the WSL’s all-time record scorer looked visibly distressed after sustaining the injury which occurred after she was stretching for the ball and appeared to land awkwardly.
    The Gunners ace said there will be ‘plenty of difficult days ahead’ and thanked friends, family and her team-mates for their support. 
    In a statement shared via her Twitter account this morning Miedema said: “Absolutely gutted to share that I’ve ruptured my ACL in our last game against Lyon.
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    “It was one of those moments, where I knew straight away. 
    “So many things going through your head: I won’t be able to help my team anymore this season, no World Cup, surgery and rehab for a long, long time.
    “I won’t be telling you I’ll come back stronger or that I’m looking forward to spending the next however many months in the gym. 
    “It will be tough with plenty of difficult days (plenty of crying, which we’ve had a lot of already), but sadly enough it’s part of football.
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    “I’m lucky enough to have amazing team-mates, friends and family around me and Beth, who can guide me through everything that’s coming while only being a couple of weeks ahead of me.
    “Thank you for all your messages, I do really appreciate them and they are helping a lot!
    “For now, I’ll be getting myself ready for surgery and it’s time for a much-needed Christmas break.”
    Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate and partner Beth Mead ruptured her knee ligament during the late stages of Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
    The England star, 27, who signed a new contract with the club this month, was also revealed to have sustained an ACL injury.
    The loss of Miedema and Mead is a blow for Arsenal who are in the race for the WSL title and currently second and three points behind leaders Chelsea.
    Miedema’s team-mate Beth Mead sustained an ACL injury in NovemberCredit: Getty
    Both players are among the most formidable forwards in the women’s top-flight and notched up a combined total of 25 goals in the league last season. 
    And Miedema finished as the top tier’s second highest goal scorer last term.
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    Their club are due to play Zurich on Wednesday in their final Champions League group stage game.
    The Gunners have already qualified for the contest’s quarter-final stage having notched up three wins, one draw and one defeat. More

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    Former Arsenal boss Akers backs ‘tightknit’ Gunners to battle for trophies for injured team-mates

    VIC AKERS is backing Arsenal to rally in their fight for silverware after losing two of their most feared forwards to injury. The ex-Gunners Ladies chief, 76, says Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead will be “a big miss” for the side with the duo currently injured.  
    Vic Akers says Vivianne Miedema being sidelined by injury is a big loss for ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Beth Mead and Miedema netted 26 goals combined in the 22 WSL games they played last seasonCredit: PA
    Akers, whose Arsenal side became the first English team to win a Women’s Champions League in 2007, was among the guests watching the Gunners’ clash with Lyon at the Emirates on Thursday. 
    Despite their 1-0 loss, Jonas Eidevall’s players claimed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. 
    But their qualification was overshadowed by the serious injury sustained by Miedema, with the WSL’s record scorer carried off after falling awkwardly while reaching for the ball. 
    Akers said: “Vivianne will be a big, big miss for the team. 
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    “I could see when she went down it was quite serious with Gary Lewin (Arsenal women’s head of medicine) coming out on the edge of the pitch. 
    “Looking at the expression on Gary’s face I knew it was serious. Let’s hope it’s not an ACL injury. It did look ominous.”
    Miedema’s injury comes a month after her team-mate Mead ruptured a knee ligament during Arsenal’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates. 
    Timescales on how long the England ace will be sidelined by her injury are, as yet, unknown.
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    In a statement last month the club said Mead would be ‘set for an extended period on the sidelines’. 
    Last season Mead and Miedema notched up 26 goals combined in 22 WSL games with Miedema finishing as the league’s second highest scorer.
    And Akers expects Leah Williamson, Kim Little and their team-mates will be more eager to succeed for their injured pals. 
    He added: “This group is a tightknit one and similar to the all-conquering one I had back in 2007. 
    “They will want to succeed for the girls who are out and injured. 
    “I believe this motivation will carry them through this season.” 
    Vic Akers believes Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal side has a similar camaraderie to his 2006-07 quadruple-winning squadCredit: Getty
    Arsenal, currently second in the WSL, face league leaders Chelsea at the Emirates in their first game in the new year in what could be a pivotal match in the title race.
    That January 15 derby duel will come a month on from defenders Williamson and Rafaelle Souza returning to action from foot and knee injuries. 
    And skipper Little is back in training following a knee problem. 
    Akers added: “It’s massive to have those characters back in. 
    Akers says the creativity of Kim Little, who has out with a knee injury since October, has been missed in Arsenal’s midfieldCredit: Getty
    “Kim Little has been one of the biggest misses and I felt they were crying out for her creativity against Lyon. 
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    “I know Leah really, really well and she’ll definitely step up to the mark and make sure everybody is on the same page. 
    “I’m certain they’ll want to fight for trophies for the girls who are out injured and for themselves.” More

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    Hayes’ Chelsea side aim for top spot finish in Champions League group and defeat of Paris Saint-Germain

    EMMA HAYES warns Chelsea will not be ‘downing tools’ in their final Champions League group game despite reaching the quarter-finals. The Blues boss was reflecting on her players’ performance after they comfortably trounced Albanian side Vllaznia 4-0. 
    Sophie Ingle opened the scoring for Chelsea against VllazniaCredit: Reuters
    Fran Kirby netted her first goal in the Champions League this season doubling visitors’ leadCredit: Reuters
    Fran Kirby’s first goal of the season in Europe and two assists for summer signing Jelena Cankovic were among the efforts that helped the WSL leaders stay top of group A.
    The result saw the Blues, who made a surprise exit at this stage of the tournament last season, pick up their fourth win from their first five Champions League group games.
    It saw them move  three points clear of Paris Saint-Germain before the French side’s 2-1 defeat of Real Madrid.
    And that result saw the Spanish club knocked out of the competition 
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    Chelsea boss Hayes said: “The questions in and around the group stage last year we don’t have to answer anymore. 
    “This team does so well to learn in its hardest moments.
    “We understand what the group stage is in this competition and I think we’ve navigated them really well this season. 
    “We didn’t get out of second gear but we should credit Vllaznia too as they made it difficult.
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    “They stuck a lot of numbers behind the ball in the corridors and you have to be patient. 
    “It’s not always the best thing to watch because you’re playing against so many numbers behind the ball but we kept our patience. 
    “We probed and the finishers came into the game to add a couple of goals so we’re really happy.Our objective now is to finish top of the group.”
    When asked if Chelsea’s quarter-final qualification gives them the freedom to take things easier against PSG, Hayes added: “I don’t think you can switch it on and off.
    “The minute we down tools in something, I don’t like us when that happens. 
    “There’s two conversations on the table for the team – the first is how hard we’re going to train next week and the second is how are we going to finish top of the group. 
    “Everything else is nothing. I don’t want to hear about Christmas or the quarter-finals.
    “I’m not interested in any of that, just what we need to do to win the game next week.”
    Hayes made six changes to the line-up that beat Reading 3-2 in the WSL on Sunday. 
    Captain Magda Eriksson and Millie Bright were rested with Sophie Ingle wearing the skipper’s armband. 
    Maren Mjelde scored Chelsea’s final goal during their 4-0 defeat of Vllaznia in AlbaniaCredit: Getty
    Vllaznia – who have conceded more goals than any other team in this stage tournament – were pinned back in their own half for large spells. 
    And they found themselves a goal behind in the 12th minute as Ingle side-footed the ball home after deflected Guro Reiten pass. 
    The hosts, who had no shots on target attempted a lobbed effort shortly after with Megi Dolci spotting Blues shot stopper Zecira Musovic off her line. 
    But they found themselves 2-0 down in the 20th minute with Kirby sweeping the ball home after being teed up by Cankovic following a quickly taken free-kick
    The Albanian side reacted angrily being caught off guard and yet to get into position, but their protests were waved away by the referee 
    The Blues came close to a third at the half hour mark with Aniek Nouwen heading Ingle’s corner kick directly at Vllaznia keeper Kaylin Williams-Moisier. 
    The Blues will take on Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge in their final group stage game with both teams qualifying for the quarter-finalsCredit: Getty
    The second spell saw Hayes shuffle her deck with Lauren James, Maren Mjelde and Katerina Svitkova entering the fray 
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    The visitors saw Sam Kerr’s tapped-in finish flagged offside in the 68th minute before Svitkova struck late to make it 3-0 win with an assist from Cankovic.
    And a late handball led to Mjelde netting from the penalty spot to wrap up a comfortable win on the road. More

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    Lionesses ace Beth Mead gives Arsenal a contract boost by extending stay with the WSL club she calls ‘home’

    BETH MEAD has given Arsenal a huge boost by signing a new contract with the side following her stellar displays for club and country. The length of the new deal for the England forward, 27 has not been disclosed by the WSL outfit.
    Beth Mead has signed a new contract with Arsenal following an impressive season for club and countryCredit: Getty
    Mead has notched up 61 goals for the Gunners since joining the WSL side from Sunderland in 2017Credit: Getty
    The announcement comes a day after Arsenal qualified for the Champions League knockout stages following a narrow 1-0 loss to Lyon
    The match saw Mead’s team-mate and partner Vivianne Miedema stretchered off following a serious injury which occurred just under month after the England forward ruptured a knee ligament.
    Mead’s new contract comes in a year that saw her help the Lionesses to Euros glory  whilst winning the tournament’s Golden Boot after registering six goals and five assists. 
    Of her new contract Mead said: “This club is home for me – I’ve grown so much here as a player and a person and I know we can achieve so much more together in the years to come. 
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    “I want to compete to win the biggest trophies in the game and I know that the ambitions at Arsenal match my own.
    “I can’t wait to get back onto the pitch and help to deliver the success our supporters deserve.”
    Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall added: “It’s wonderful news that we have agreed a new deal with Beth. 
    “She is a world-class footballer and has proven that on the biggest stage of them all. 
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    “I have so much admiration for the way she has handled success and adversity on and off the pitch over the past few years.
    “I’m sure she will approach the next few months with the positive attitude we all know Beth for.”
    Mead moved to Arsenal in January 2017 after a five-year spell at Sunderland with whom she won a league cup trophy and two Women’s Premier League titles. 
    Since her Gunners switch the forward has made 166 appearances for the WSL title chasers netting 61 goals for the side who play FC Zurich in the Champions League next Wednesday. 
    Last season she notched up 14 goals and 19 assists in 40 Gunners appearances.
    Her efforts helped club take the 2021-22 WSL title chase to the wire and finishing a point behind league winners Chelsea. 
    And last November the fleet-footed Lioness became the first woman to score a hat-trick at Wembley for England during the team’s 4-0 defeat of Northern Ireland. 
    Clare Wheatley, Arsenal’s head of women’s football said: “In her five years with our club, Beth has grown into one of the best footballers in the world.
    Mead helped the Lionesses to their first major trophy win when they triumphed at the Euros in JulyCredit: Getty
    “Her form over the past season has reached new heights.”
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    Mead, who has been nominated for the 2022 BBC’S Sport Personality of Year award, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Arsenal’s 3-2 loss to Manchester United in November.
    Timescales as to how long the forward will be sidelined by her injury are as yet unknown.  More

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    Eidevall insists Arsenal have ‘massive respect’ for Lyon as Gunners aim for Champions League knockout spot

    JONAS EIDEVALL believes it will be tricky to anticipate how Lyon will look when they play Arsenal in the Champions League at the Emirates tonight.The Gunners’ boss, 39, who has his sights set on knockout stage qualification, insists he has massive respect for the team his players trounced in October.
    A win against Lyon for Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal will see the team qualify for the Champions League knockout stageCredit: Getty
    Arsenal have won three of the four Champions League group stage fixtures they have playedCredit: Getty
    Lyon, who are the tournament’s record-winning club with eight Champions League titles, have won eight of their last nine games since their 5-1 loss to Arsenal. 
    The French giants have been battling with injuries to key players with star striker Ada Hegerberg and midfield ace Sara Dabritz among the those out of action. 
    The team, who lost who lost 1-0 to PSG in France’s top-flight on Sunday, are also without the services of centre-backs Ellie Carpenter and Griedge Mbock.
    In May Carpenter ruptured a knee ligament during Lyon’s Champions League final defeat of Barcelona. 
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    However midfielder Amel Majri has reportedly returned to the French champs’ squad following a 15-month spell out due to an ACL injury and the birth of her daughter in July. 
    Eidevall said: “It’s difficult to predict how Lyon will look (compared to the game in October), that’s their business. 
    “I will work on how Arsenal will look but we see a Lyon team that has had a lot of strong performances. 
    “From a goal-scoring opportunities perspective, they were the better team against PSG even if they ended up losing. 
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    “We know they are an excellent opponent that we need to have massive respect for.”
    Arsenal, who face Swiss side Zurich next Wednesday, could enter the knockout rounds of this term’s contest if they avoid defeat by four goals or more tonight. 
    The Gunners are currently top of Group A having gone unbeaten after four game at this stage with three wins and one draw. 
    Eidevall added: “We know that we can achieve qualification and that’s huge for us. 
    “We’re going to do our very best to try and achieve that.
    “Lyon have been setting the standards for all others to chase and they are the reigning European champions.
    “We have the utmost respect for their history and their team. 
    This evening’s fixture will see former Gunner Danielle van de Donk go up against her old side at the Emirates.
    The Netherlands star, 31, helped Arsenal to win their last WSL title back in 2019
    Lyon hope to avenge the 5-1 loss they endured at home to the Gunners in OctoberCredit: Getty
    The forward who, netting 11 goals in 19 league appearances during the 2018-19 season, is eager to see Lyon return to winning ways.
    Van de Donk told reporters: “We want those three points. We’re very motivated.”

    “I think it’s going to be a good match, with a great level, great intensity.”
    Arsenal vs Lyon in the Women’s Champion League will be aired live at 8:00 pm tonight (15 December) on DAZN’s YouTube channel. More

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    Sarina Wiegman says attraction of managing another ‘big football country’ shaped England boss job move

    SARINA WIEGMAN revealed she mulled over whether she would be able to leave the Netherlands when the chance to manage the Lionesses arose. The head coach, 53, said the lure of managing in another ‘big football’ nation was among the draws that attracted her to the role.
    Sarina Wiegman says she took classes on English football as part for her preparation to coach the LionessesCredit: Getty
    Wiegman and her players have their sights set on World Cup success after their triumph in the Euros in JulyCredit: AFP
    Wiegman was speaking a day after a number of pundits, journalists and football fans engaged in debate on whether a manager of England national football side needs to be English. 
    Debate had arisen amid reports regarding Gareth Southgate’s future after the Three Lions boss led his side the Qatar World Cup quarter-finals this month.
    On Tuesday football pundit Jamie Carragher shared his opinion that gaffers of the national team should be English. 
    Meanwhile some fans have highlighted Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to a Women’s Euros crown, as an example of a coach from overseas succeeding as an England national team boss . 
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    When asked if her nationality was a factor in her decision to take up her role Wiegman said: “I thought about it when I first got in contact with England when they reached out to me. 
    “I was head coach of the Netherlands, but my first thought was. ‘can I leave the Netherlands [as a country], I grew up there, it’s my country’
    “Most of the time when some people reach out to me to ask if I’m interested in a job, after a couple of days it would just fade ‘no I’m going to stay with the Netherlands’. 
    “But this one stuck with me. This is very exciting.
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    “It’s a big country, England is a big football country with the WSL and the potential of the (national) team, so I started to have conversations.”
    Since her appointment last September, Wiegman led the Lionesses on a 26-game unbeaten run with England winning their first major trophy in the team’s 50-year history this July. 
    Their silverware success came five years after the Netherlands-born head coach guided the Dutch national women’s team to a Euros Championship win on home soil
    On her efforts to adapt to English culture after agreeing up her role, Wiegman added: “Although the countries are really close together there are some differences in culture, so I really tried to learn. 
    The success of the WSL and the challenge of managing of a ‘big football country’ were factors that led Wiegman to take on her jobCredit: Getty
    “I took some English classes in football. I said I will learn about your culture and try to adapt to your culture  but also bring the directness as you have to know what is good
    “I will not go around it or change that. 
    “I think it went really well and we really enjoyed ourselves.
    “I think the FA and the players and staff enjoy it too and we have a very good collaboration. We can still grow a lot.” More