Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid was certainly an important moment in the club’s history. Those familiar with the women’s European exploits will note that a quarter-final victory is hardly anything to write home about in historic contexts.
In fact, this will be their eighth time at this stage of the Women’s UEFA Champions League. A competition they have in fact won once before back in 2007, the year of the quadruple, also winning the league, FA Women’s National League Cup and Women’s FA Cup.
When it comes to pedigree and winning, it is a regularity for the club. That said, as interest in women’s football continues to grow, it was hugely important, while playing in front of a record crowd (22,517) for a Women’s Champions League game at this stage of the competition.
Arsenal will now play Lyon in the semi-finals, however this time it will be the first leg which is played at home. This is a far from ideal scenario, the same for the men’s team who play Real Madrid in the quarter-finals also, but with the first leg of the tie being at the Emirates Stadium before going out to the Bernabeu a week later.
Already though after putting tickets for the Lyon clash on sale, the club has sold well over 5000 tickets. A massive testament to the ladies’ achievement and also the direction in which the sport continues to go.
The Gunners will hope to repeat the feat of selling out the Emirates Stadium after their achievement in 2023 when for the visit of Wolfsburg in the semi-final they reached this milestone for the very first time. Something done several times since as the hunger to watch the women’s game and it's growing player base of stars appears to have exponential potential.
You can purchase tickets for Arsenal’s match with Lyon on the club’s website.