Arsenal defender Leah Williamson says that topping their UEFA Women’s Champions League group is not necessarily about getting a more favourable draw in the quarter-finals.
The Gunners will win their group as long as they avoid any kind of slip up against bottom side FC Zürich in Schaffhausen this evening.
Finishing in pole position would mean that Arsenal cannot draw any of their fellow group winners in the quarter-finals but while that would be a positive, defender Williamson believes that a victory over FC Zürich would be just as important for the team’s form, motivation and development.
“Obviously, the work that we’ve put in so far and the way that the girls have played has been incredible,” Williamson said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “To top the group with another win would be great for us.
“Any team that we come up against in the next round, it’s going to be a tough one regardless of if you come out of the group first or second but naturally, you want to give everything, you play every game to win in sport, also for our own form as well.
“The importance (of winning the group) for us is not necessarily about who we will face in the next round.”
Arsenal have struggled to get beyond the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals in recent seasons and Williamson knows that The Gunners will need to prove that they can beat the best to win the tournament. Whoever the North Londoners draw in the last-eight, Williamson believes that it will be tough.
She said “You have to beat the best to win a tournament. Obviously, you want to progress as far as you can in the tournament, we haven’t been past the quarter-finals for a while now. Of course, you want to progress further but unless you win it which doesn’t happen without beating those top teams, ultimately, you come away with less than you wanted.
“Whoever ever it is, it is going to be a tough draw either way.”
Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixture against FC Zürich kicks-off at 5.45pm.
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