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RENEE SLEGERS described Arsenal reaching the Women’s Champions League’ last eight as the “ultimate end to an intense” block of games. 

It took her Gunners 89 minutes to break Juventus’s resistance with Lina Hurtig’s strike securing their sixth win in seven matches across all competitions.

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While their performance last night at the Emirates was less goal-laden than their 4-0 demolition of the Serie A side last week, the result maintained their unbeaten run under Slegers. 

The stand-in boss has impressed since taking charge of the side in mid-October following Jonas Eidevall resigning from his role as head coach. 

Following a mixed start to the season, Arsenal have looked more fluid in attack in three of their last four games with 12 goals scored. 

During their 5-0 defeat of Brighton on November 8 one fan was spotted holding a placard with the words “In Renee we trust” daubed across it. 

The team’s fourth win on the bounce since then has strengthened the case for the Netherlands-born stand-in Arsenal boss to continue in her role. 

Although the result gave the Gunners what she describes as “breathing space”, she sees the situation as surreal. 

Of their seven-game unbeaten run, Slegers said: “It’s the ultimate end to a very busy and intense block we have had here. 

“It is the perfect ending for this block. It means a lot.

“All of the players totally deserve it because of the work they put in. It gives us some breathing space in the last two games as well.

“We wouldn’t give ourselves a ten out of ten but we will give ourselves a big fat ‘enough’. 

“We will never play the perfect game so it won’t be a ten, but we are very happy with what we have done so far. 

“I never felt we would get into this situation.

“We have done really well but 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. “

Compared to last term with Chelsea the only WSL side in the contest’s knockout phase, all three English clubs competing this season have fared well in the group stage. 

Gareth Taylor’s Manchester City currently sit top of group D above Barcelona with four wins from four matches including their 2-0 win against the LaLiga Women’s leaders in October.  

An efficient 2-1 defeat of Hammarby last night, with City also entering the tournament’s last eight, came courtesy of two goals netted by Khadija Shaw.

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The Jamaica striker has been in fine form in Europe for City so far this term netting three times in four Champions League appearances. 

Meanwhile Chelsea also maintained a hundred per cent win record in the group stages so far

The team claimed a quarter-final place by beating Celtic 3-0 on Wednesday ahead of duels with FC Twente and Real Madrid next month. 

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ALLY McCoist has revealed he has an incurable condition known as ‘Viking’s disease’.

The Rangers legend said the disease had been in his family for generations – but certain lifestyle factors and health conditions could also put you at risk.

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Ally shared that he has Dupuytren’s contracture, a condition causing one or more of your fingers to gradually curve in towards your palm.

The condition sees lumps, dimples or ridges appear in the palm as tissue under the skin of your palms and fingers thickens and tightens.

Eventually, one or more of sufferer’s fingers – such as the ring and little fingers – may get stuck in a bent position. It’s common to have the affliction in both hands.

It’s often referred to as ‘Viking’s disease’ as it’s thought to be more common in people of Scandinavian or Northern European decent.

However, a genetic study published in 2019 found no evidence to support that Dupuytren’s has its origin in Norse countries.

Dupuytren’s contracture is not usually painful, but it can make it harder to use your hands and perform everyday activities.

Typically, people have to wait until the condition progresses significantly before surgery can be performed.

The sports presenter revealed he’s had two operations to try and straighten out his fingers, but the issue had returned.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Ally said: “I have got Dupuytren’s. It’s a hereditary thing where your fingers close in.

“I have had them done twice.

“The bizarre thing with Dupuytren’s is when I went to see the doctor he said ‘I will operate on it but it will come back in roughly nine years’.

“And I swear to God nine years later it came back.”

Ally said the condition ran in his family.

“I went to see the doctor and he said to me ‘Did your grandfather have it?’.

“I said ‘I don’t know’ because I never met any of my grandfathers, sadly they passed before I was born.

“I said to him ‘But my dad had it’. He lifted his head up and said ‘You’re unlucky because it normally skips a generation’. I said ‘That’s good news because I have got five boys’.

“My wee mum had it as well. My mum had it, my dad had it, it’s a hereditary thing.”

The football legend shared that his condition makes it hard for him to text.

“I have seen myself sending a text message which takes me five minutes to text with one finger when I should just dial the number,” he told talkSPORT.

Oxford University scientists who uncovered a potential breakthrough treatment for Dupuytren’s disease estimated that the disabling condition affects as much as 5 per cent of the UK population.

Other famous sufferers have included Margaret Thatcher and actor Bill Nighy.

Causes of Dupuytren’s contracture

The exact causes of ‘Viking’s disease’ remain unknown.

In Ally’s case, having a family history of the condition made him more at risk of getting it.

But other factors have also been linked to the disease.

According to the NHS, smoking could increase your risk of developing Dupuytren’s contracture.

Drinking lots of alcohol is another lifestyle risk factor.

Certain conditions, such as diabetes of epilepsy, have also been linked to the disease.

You should speak to a GP if one or more of your fingers are bent and you can’t put your hands down flat or struggle with daily activities.

How is it treated?

Dupuytren’s contracture doesn’t usually need any treatment in the early stages.

If it’s severe and you can’t use your hand normally, a GP may refer you to a specialist for treatment.

There are three main types of treatment:

• Surgery to remove the affected tissue in the hand (fasciectomy)
• Using a needle to make small cuts in the affected tissue (needle fasciotomy)
• Surgery to remove the affected tissue and skin (dermofasciectomy)

Treatment may not completely straighten your digits and they may feel less strong and flexible.

As with Ally’s case, your fingers may start to contract again after a few years.