‘We have the belief’ – Arsenal confident of overturning deficit in Lyon says McCabe | OneFootball

Arsenal full-back Katie McCabe says that the team are confident of overturning a one-goal deficit when they contest the second leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final tie against Lyon on Sunday.

The Gunners trail 2-1 from last weekend’s first leg tie at the Emirates Stadium. Kadidiatou Diani struck early in the game for Lyon but Arsenal levelled matters through a Mariona Caldentey penalty late in the second half. In the end, there was to be a further twist with Melchie Dumornay netting the winning goal for Lyon eight minutes minutes from time.

Arsenal face an uphill task as they aim to reach the final but full-back McCabe says that the team believe that they can go all of the way.

“I believe on Sunday we can go in and be positive and score goals,” McCabe said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “We have the quality, we have the class around the team, but we have to be on it; we have to be on it from the get-go.

“We’ve spoken about Lyon and their strengths, but we know what we can do. We have the belief that we can go and turn it around on Sunday.”

Arsenal last featured in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals two years ago. On that occasion, they exited the competition with a 5-4 aggregate defeat to VfL Wolfsburg. McCabe knows that Sunday’s fixture is huge for The Gunners, but she says that the landscape is very different to the VfL Wolfsburg tie in 2023.

She said “Yeah, this [game] is right up there, for sure. I think it’s been nearly two years since we were in this position with the club last time around against Wolfsburg. We’re away from home in the second leg, so it’s going to be a different challenge for us.

“We have the availability in our squad and the depth and the strengths that we have around the team are fantastic. At that time two years ago, we were in a different place, so for us, we’re feeling good; we’re feeling unified and really focused going into Sunday’s game.”

Arsenal could be backed by a record number of away supporters in France and McCabe believes that The Gunners’ support on their travels is the very best.

She said “They’re so loud. I’m biased, but I think our fans are the best in the league, the best in Europe. Wherever we go, whether it’s in Europe or up north in England, wherever we’re going, they’re always there in numbers and cheering us on, singing the chants. They always make the new players feel so welcome by making up new chants for them.

“That connection we have with them is something you can’t buy and for us, especially on Sunday, they’re going to be so important in urging us on and encouraging us, giving us the energy, as they always do.”

Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final, second leg tie against Lyon kicks-off at 5pm on Sunday evening.