Arsenal suffer late heartbreak to miss out on Champions League final
Arsenal suffered late Champions League heartbreak as Wolfsburg reached the Women’s Champions League Final.
In a dramatic tie, Pauline Bremer won it for the Germans in the final minutes of extra-time, following a 4-4 aggregate draw at the end of 90 minutes. The hosts fought bravely in front of a record crowd for a women's club game in the UK of 60,063, but with penalties looming Lotte Wubben-Moy was robbed by Jule Brand who teed up Bremer to break Gunners' hearts.
After salvaging a 2-2 draw in Germany in the first leg last weekend, Arsenal were favourites to progress to the showpiece final. And they had a dream start when Stina Blackstenius capitalised on some confusion at the back to roll the ball into an empty net.
But the semi-final pendulum swung when Wolfsburg levelled not long before half-time. Former Gooner Jill Roord fired home after the hosts failed to clear a deep free-kick. And the visitors' improvement after the break was rewarded when skipper Alexandra Popp headed home from a corner to give them the aggregate advantage. Jen Beattie's header 15 minutes from the end forced a period of extra time to settle a dramatic contest.
But just when the semi-final epic appeared set for a penalty shootout, Wolfsburg stole a dramatic winner through Bremer to book their ticket to Eindhoven where they will face Barcelona. Here are the big talking points from the Emirates Stadium.
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Bremer intervention settles semi-final epic
After a 2-2 draw meant the two sides were locked at 4-4 on aggregate, the Emirates poised itself for an extra-time finale with a penalty shootout looming.
Both sides had gone close to retaking the lead in the extra 30 minutes, Pauline Bremer somehow dragging an effort wide with the goal gaping for the visitors. At the other end Katie McCabe's floating cross was only kept out by the crossbar.
But when Wubben-Moy was robbed by Brand in the corner, Arsenal were finally beaten. Brand squared for Bremer to finally settle a remarkable tie.
Roord haunts old club
Arsenal were the better side for the opening half an hour, but once Wolfsburg got to grips with the midfield battle they edged their way back into the tie. And it was an ex-Gunner Jill Roord who struck the crucial equaliser.
When the hosts failed to clear a deep free-kick, Roord controlled the ball on the edge of the box and volleyed past Manuela Zinsbeger. The goal near silenced the sell-out crowd, save for a small contingent of travelling fans in the far corner.
Roord herself didn't hold back on the celebrations against her former employer, while Eidevall urged the home support to respond. From that point on it was never going to be a straightforward passage to Eindhoven for the hosts.
Roord celebrates against her former clubEidevall again gets approach spot-on
A reoccurring theme of Arsenal's European run has been manager Jonas Eidevall nailing his tactical approach. And this was once again the case today, with the Swede setting-up his patched up team to perfection.
Rather than stick with the medium block that brought them back into the tie in Germany last week, Eidevall's team sat deeper with Frida Maanum and Lia Walti keeping a close eye on the returning Alexandra Popp. But that allowed the Gunners to break at frightening pace on the counter.
Every time Victoria Pelova or Katie McCabe got the ball in the first half they looked to cut inside and play in the space behind the visitors' defence. It worked a treat, with Arsenal threatening every time they went forward
Huth misses chance to send Wolfsburg to Eindhoven
For all Arsenal's fight and courage, they were only able to force extra-time after Wolfsburg blew a huge chance to win it with 20 minutes to play. 2-1 up, the German side flew forward on the counter after Arsenal had overcommitted on a set-piece.
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And when Svenja Huth was played clean through on goal, you could hear a pin drop around the Emirates. Somehow the Wolfsburg no.10 managed to stray her shot wide of Zinsberger's post with the goal gaping.
That huge reprieve allowed Arsenal to force extra-time, although sadly there would be no happy ending for the Gunners.
McCabe leads from the front
When Kim Little went down the last time Arsenal played here, it ruled the club captain out for the season. Then just days before the first leg of this tie, vice-skipper Leah Williamson suffered an ACL injury, ending her campaign and World Cup dream.
Step forward Katie McCabe. The Irish winger has put in two brilliant performances over the course of this tie, with the armband seeming to bring out the best in her.
McCabe's work-rate was unmatched, as the stand-in captain seemed to cover every blade of grass on the pristine Emirates Stadium turf. She started the game as one of her sides key attacking threats, yet finished the 90 minutes defending for her life at left-back. The way she got the Arsenal faithful going after the VAR check was complete for Beattie's goal was worth the entrance fee alone.
McCabe was once again Arsenal's best playerWeinroither latest casualty in Arsenal's injury nightmare
Just minutes after Beattie levelled the tie, Arsenal were dealt another huge injury blow. Only 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute Laura Weinroither fell awkwardly in the Emirates turf.
Clutching her knee, she was quickly surrounded by supportive red shirts, but everyone inside the Emirates could already fear the worst. The Austrian had to depart on a stretcher, the latest cruel blow to an already stretched squad ahead of the run-in.
When the dust settles from this epic tie, Arsenal could be looking at yet another play facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Hopefully scans prove the injury sustained isn't as serious as first feared.
Emirates sell-out breaks new ground
For the Gunners to sell-out the 60,000 seater Emirates Stadium was nothing short of staggering. The club deserve huge praise for their marketing and execution of planning to reach capacity, on a day that bred new ground for the women's game in England.
Arsenal women's team have played all five Champions League home matches at the Emirates Stadium in 2022-23The Lionesses selling-out Wembley for major tournaments is one thing, but this was an English side selling out their men's stadium for a club game. It had never been done before, but once again Arsenal have broken new ground.
From the press box you could hear plenty of 'wows' from kids as they got a view of the lush Emirates turf for the first time. This was a game-changing moment, regardless of the result.
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