Leah on new deal, OL Lyonnes and another final | Press conference | News
Leah Williamson feels that our squad is highly motivated to reach a second-straight UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, something no British club has ever achieved.
Our vice captain, who signed a new contract earlier this week, feels that we’re capable of adding such an achievement to an ever-growing list of firsts she’s experienced in her time at the club.
“What’s on tomorrow is enough motivation for any player to want to be involved in.” Leah said on Friday evening, “I especially have been very lucky being at Arsenal, we seem to have been involved in a lot of firsts over the last few years and this one’s performance related.
“Of course, we get our heads down and compete, not for (a record), just for the point of turning up and trying to do our best. Like I said, what’s on offer is enough to motivate us to do that.”
While the record may not be the main source of motivation for Leah, we have a promising chance of capturing it as we head to France with a 2-1 lead over OL Lyonnes from last week’s first leg.
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But European success hasn’t always been the norm in Leah’s time as a Gunner, and she admitted that she’s enjoying playing for an Arsenal side at the top of the European game.
“If I’m totally honest, there’s been years that I’ve signed contracts when we haven’t been in this competition so the fact that, that is now on the table and we have a chance to be competitive, we’ve put ourselves in that position.
“To be regarded as one of those top clubs in Europe of course comes into my decision. As ever, but especially this time I think, very happy to have been asked to stay and to want to be here.”
Our vice captain’s latest extension will take her into her 20th year as an Arsenal player, an extraordinary amount of time in the modern game.
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Leah Williamson signs new contract
Asked if she could spend her whole career with us, Leah said it was something she could see happening.
“100%. Football is a business so I understand there’s lot of different things that can come into that but yes, I said in this (contract interview) I’ll never regret spending so much time here.
“It’s a really rewarding thing to have been given so much by something and to hopefully try and give back, so that’ll be my motivation for as long as I’m able to see what the future holds.”
Leah’s new contract is one of a number of positive developments over the past couple of weeks across the club, with both our men’s and women’s sides competing for league titles and still going strong in their respective Champions League campaigns.
Our no.6 feels that as a club, we’re exactly where we should be.
“I think it’s amazing; Arsenal’s always competed but some years more than others and I think the positions we’re both in, it’s a credit to the work that goes on at the training ground for everybody that works there.
“We’ve got exceptional people and people who work really hard so I’m happy that there’s something, especially for the fans as well, but it’s a good place to work at the moment.”
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