Women’s Champions League: ‘Euphoria’ as Arsenal reach final for first time in 18 years
It has been a long journey to the final for Arsenal.
From round one of qualifying against Rangers back in September to now, they have played in 14 Champions League matches this season. No team has ever done so in this format.
With Chelsea looking set to lift the Women’s Super League title for a sixth consecutive year, Arsenal seemed in danger of fizzling out.
Instead, they have managed to do what Chelsea could not – overturn a first-leg deficit against top European opposition to reach the Champions League final.
Granted, Lyon were not at their best in what boss Joe Montemurro called a “perplexing” and “inexplicable” performance.
But Arsenal capitalised on that and were able to assert some dominance to win a two-legged European semi-final away from home for the first time.
The outpouring of emotion at full-time from Arsenal’s veteran player Kim Little, who turns 35 in June, said it all.
Alongside Spaniard Caldentey in midfield, Little dominated – controlling the game in attack and defence with her silky passes and tricky footwork.
“I can’t believe she’s still playing at this level and getting better and better. It’s because of her attitude and application,” former Chelsea forward Karen Carney said on TNT Sports.
“Her and Caldentey’s relationship – having the licence to go and attack, using her body, her calmness keeping the ball.
“When she got emotional at the end, I’ve never seen that. She’s a classy player and person.”
Spurred on by their 500 or so travelling fans, who had been allocated a section on their own high up in the top tier of the 60,000-capacity stadium, Arsenal were clinical, scoring four goals from their six shots on target.
“I think we played really well and created the momentum,” said Foord, who scored their fourth goal.
“We finished our chances, which is so important. We won the ball higher up in crucial areas and I think we rattled them a bit. We got them in good areas and finished our chances.”