Lize Kop has spoken about the trust and building the foundation at the back that helped us secure an impressive point in the north London derby on Sunday.
Our number one was in inspirational form once again at Brisbane Road to help see us to another clean sheet – the fourth in the WSL and sixth across all competitions – as we held Arsenal to a goalless draw.
Wearing a protective mask following the collision with Nikita Parris last weekend, the Netherlands international was composed on the ball, building attacks from the back in the first half, while she was alert to make some key saves in the second period.
With 16 points from nine games in the WSL as we currently sit fifth in the standings, Lize feels the resilient performance against the Gunners shows what the squad is capable of and the key reasons for why she registered another clean sheet.
“It feels great,” Lize told us, reflecting on the draw with Arsenal. “We've been working really hard as a team to get a result like this, and I think it shows what we're capable of. It was a great performance.
“In the first half, we possessed the ball more and played with confidence. In the second half, we had to be better out of possession and defend the box, and I think we dealt with that really well. We adjusted when we needed to, and that’s why we got a result.”
Asked about the defensive display and another clean sheet, she added: “We trust each other - and that’s the foundation. The defending was great - big blocks from Clare [Hunt] and Toko [Koga] - and great communication about who picks up who. That’s so helpful in these moments, winning duels and making those crucial blocks.
“I’m really thankful for the other goalkeepers I work with and for Chris [Williams]. We put a lot of work in, we talk about things constantly and, at a certain point, you really start believing in the process and feeling within the group. I’m grateful for that.”
Watch | Highlights from our draw with Arsenal