Arsenal qualifying for Champions League quarter-finals feels 'surreal', says Slegers

Renee Slegers says it feels "surreal" that Arsenal have secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with two games to spare.

The Gunners will finish at least second in Group C after Lina Hurtig's late strike secured a 1-0 win over Juventus on Thursday.

What looked to be a frustrating encounter was turned around by Slegers' substitutions, and after missing a glorious chance, Hurtig was eventually the difference at the Emirates.

Arsenal created 3.69 expected goals (xG) from their nine shots, getting three on target, compared to just 0.5 for Juventus, who tested Daphne van Domselaar the same amount of times.

Slegers was impressed by her side's resilience as they pushed to come away with all three points.

"It's surreal to be honest," Slegers said post-match. "I never felt we would get into this situation. We have done really well.

"I was part of Jonas [Eidevall's] staff and there was so much that was built during his time. I don't want to separate that. There is so much we are still building on. It's surreal in so many ways but we are very happy.

"I'm just happy for the team to win. Obviously, we have amazing depth in the squad, and we know anyone can do it for us - whether it's starting players or finishing players.

"It's the visualisation of how much everyone contributes in the team. I think that's what it means for us."

Slegers took over as interim manager following Jonas Eidevall's departure last month and has gone unbeaten in her first seven games, winning six and drawing one.

They have won each of their last five in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in their previous four matches.

"It was just a very impressive block of the team," Slegers said. "We conceded only one goal during this whole block, so defensively very solid.

"The players have been stepping up big time, they've been owning this; we tried to relay it back to them all the time, so giving them the ownership.

"I'm just very happy with how the block has been, different challenges along the way, so all games have asked something different from us. We've responded to that really well, sticking to our identity but also playing the game that's ahead of us."