Morning all.
I enjoyed that game, a lot. Admittedly, it was backs to the wall stuff at times but I expected that. Barcelona are the best in the world and play very good football. Arsenal defended so so well and there were many times during the game when they attacked very well too. Barca hit the crossbar, Arsenal had a goal disallowed for offside. Overall, I think Renée Slegers side had the better goal scoring opportunities but Barca bossed the possession stats. Just!
Renée Slegers, Arsenal women’s manager for just seven months, has been superb. Not even at 1-0 up with the clock ticking, was she tempted to bring on defensive players to protect the lead. Her two substitutions led to our goal with Beth Mead setting up Stina Blackstenius to score.
I think that’s the best I’ve seen Arsenal’s defence defend. Leah Williamson was outstanding although highlighting her seems unfair on the other players but everything she could get a body part to, she did. We as a team were aggressive, disciplined, committed and 100% up for the battle. Barca didn’t like it and I don’t think they were ready for it.
Renée Slegers has every right to feel as proud as punch for what she has done with the squad and every player should feel proud of what they have achieved.
Photo – Getty Images.
I loved this from Leah Williamson who was talking to DAZN post match:
“I don’t have the words. I joined this football club and they were winners, they won everything and all I wanted to do was represent the badge in the same way and today we went another big step towards that. We play football to make people happy, not to make other people unhappy. Today, we made a lot of people happy.”
Barcelona scored NINETEEN goals in their three games before failing to find the net against Arsenal – and had kept clean sheets in their last four matches.
It is the first time Barcelona have failed to find the net in FORTY ONE matches.
Barcelona had scored at least two goals in their last ELEVEN matches in all competitions.
Not yesterday though, not yesterday.
What a great day for the Arsenal women, the club and the fans. Not only are we the only English club to win the Champions League but we’ve now won it twice.
I know the women’s game doesn’t float every football fans boat but I think I’m still struggling to believe what Slegers and her players have just achieved and the enormity of it. Chelsea and City have thrown money at their squad in attempt to win this competition yet Arsenal have just proved football isn’t always about pounds, shillings and pence. It’s about having the right players with the right attitude and the right coaching team. The players believe in their manager and she clearly believes in them. When you have a forward player who we know is leaving in the summer, coming on towards the end of the game and doing defensive duties as Lina Hurtig did, it speaks volumes.
Well done ladies, well done…
Josh Kroenke, along with Tim Lewis and Richard Garlick were in Lisbon to watch the women lift the big trophy and I suspect Josh will be at St Mary’s today to watch the men play their final game of the season against Southampton.
After yesterday, a dead rubber game is hard to get enthusiastic about but as Williamson said, this game is about making people happy. Making the fans happy and those who travel to Southampton today deserve to see a good performance. Maybe this time next year it’ll be Mikel Arteta and his players who’ll bring success to the club. As well as the women I hasten to add.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are out injured with the latter undergoing surgery on his ankle. Mikel Merino returns after suspension but Mikel Arteta serves a one match suspension after his booking last weekend so Albert Stuivenberg will step in.
If Arsenal can keep a clean sheet, David Raya will pick up the Golden Glove award for a second season running.
Catch up in the comments…