Historic Arsenal win as Champions League semi-sinals secured | OneFootball

In an historic night at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Women defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 to reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a decade. A record UK attendance of 21,307 witnessed goals from Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius, overturning a first-leg deficit.

From the outset, Arsenal played with belief, confidence, and style. Despite an early blow when captain Kim Little was injured and replaced by Lotte Wubben-Moy, the team rallied together.

Maanum’s wonder strike levelled the tie, and Blackstenius doubled the advantage, heading home from a Katie McCabe cross. Arsenal created numerous chances throughout the match, but the score remained 2-0.

Speaking after the game, midfielder Frida Maanum expressed her delight at reaching this milestone, calling it a “big goal” for the team.

Maanum’s stunning strike set the tone for a memorable night at the Emirates Stadium.

Following a rocky February, Arsenal’s women’s team has bounced back with an outstanding March, capturing the Conti Cup, reviving their Women’s Super League (WSL) title aspirations, and now reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

Maanum credits the team’s strong relationships and understanding on the pitch for their recent success.

“It’s quite easy because we have the relationships,” she said. “We know each other quite well and you see out there, we know where we are all the time on the pitch.

“That shows in the first goal as well how we played before the goal came. I think it’s fun to watch.”

The match against Bayern Munich saw Arsenal captain Kim Little exit early due to injury, joining the ranks of Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema on the sidelines. Katie McCabe was also pictured on crutches, wearing a protective boot after the game.

“Kim is so important for us and we knew when she went off, we all had to take responsibility and I think we did that straightaway,” Maanum added. “Lotte came in straightaway and yeah, we just tried to build on how we started the game.”

The team rallied, demonstrating unity and belief to secure the win. Maanum praised the team’s ability to adapt and take on responsibility in Little’s absence.

Bayern applied pressure late in the game, but Arsenal held firm to secure their place in the semi-finals. The team now awaits the outcome of the Wolfsburg vs. Paris Saint-Germain match to determine their next opponents.

With their sights now set on an important WSL match against league-leaders Manchester City, Maanum emphasised the need to maintain their momentum.

The team will relish the victory before returning to training and refocusing on their domestic league challenge.

“We keep this feeling tonight but then tomorrow, we go again,” Maanum said. “We train and then we focus on City.”