Hello, Arsenal Women aficionados!
You didn’t dream, it was real: Arsenal are champions of Europe (again!). In what could be described as one of the biggest upsets in women’s football, Renée Slegers and her players defeated the mighty Barcelona Femení in Lisbon.
A goal from Stina Blackstenius was enough to bring home the second UWCL in the history of the club, which remains the only English club to have lifted the cup, to date.
Stina e Frida " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
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Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Going into the final, Barcelona were considered the outright favourites to win the final and complete the three-peat, but that was without taking into account Renée Slegers’ tactical masterclass, the players’ focus and solidarity, and the ability to bring on game changers from the bench.
The game was quite tense throughout, and those who expected Barcelona to submit Arsenal with their passing game were in for a big surprise from the very first minute: Arsenal started the game pressing very aggressively, to disrupt Barcelona build-up through the middle, and succeeded in making it difficult for the Catalans to find their star players between the lines.
In fact, the Gunners thought the took the lead midway through the first half, when Irene Paredes turned the ball into her own net following a nice cutback from Frida Maanum, but the England winger was called offside. Late on, the Nowrwegian forced a very good save with a long-range effort, while at the other side of the pitch Daphne van Domselaar had a relatively quiet afternoon.
Personally speaking, going into half-time at nil-nil was a great achievement, considering that we were facing a team capable of scoring 150-ish goals throughout the season, and I was extremely pleased with it. I was very impressed by the effort, organization, communication and commitment on display during the opening 45 minutes, with our structure off the ball as good as ever, despite the opponent.
For the old fans, the opening 45 minutes felt a bit like those the men’s team lived on May 26th, 1989 at Anfield – which proved to be the ideal platform to build a historical win. Very much like in Liverpool, the main focus was to prevent Barcelona from opening the score, because if they did, they could circulate the football freely and lure us into breaking our pressing structure, hence leaving holes for Barcelona to play between the lines, and in behind.
The players were locked in and very clear on their assignments and executed the plan perfectly even though it wasn’t necessarily the way of playing the were the most accustomed to.
Tifo " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
" data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo-780x544.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo.png" class="size-medium wp-image-49355 lazyload" alt="Tifo" width="780" height="544" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo-780x544.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo-780x544.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo-200x140.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo-768x536.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Tifo.png 1072w">
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Even when Barcelona turned the heat on, in the first half of the final 45 minutes, we stood firm and kept them at bay, partly thanks to Daphne van Domselaar saves and partly thanks to some strike of luck, like when Barcelona hit the crossbar from a deflected shot. Then, with both teams tiring and Barcelona growing frustrated, Renée Slegers struck: she sent in Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius for Chloe Kelly and Frida Maanum, moving Alessia Russo in the number ten role. The new players combined beautifully to break the deadlock and shift the momentum back to the Arsenal side. Following a corner kick that wasn’t cleared by Barcelona, Mariona Caldentey spotted Beth Mead on the limits of the penalty area, facing the goal; the former Sunderland striker controlled the ball and sent Stina Blackstenius through on goal, although not in an ideal position, but the Swede controlled the ball and fired a low shot across the goalkeeper, sending all Arsenal fans wild.
The calmness, vision and composure of every player involved in the decisive move were fantastic and returned a feeling of maturity, despite the context and the pressure: Mariona Caldentey could have sent the ball flying in the penalty area; Beth Mead could have tried her luck from the edge of the area, or dribble her way into troubles; Stina Blackstenius could have hesitated too long before firing home, yet everyone kept their cool and made the right choice.
There was no rush, no precipitation in their runs, passes or shots. There was clarity.
Goal " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
" data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal-780x581.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal.png" class="size-medium wp-image-49356 lazyload" alt="Goal" width="780" height="581" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal-780x581.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal-780x581.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal-200x149.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal-768x572.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Goal.png 996w">
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
For a team that often failed to capitalize on goal opportunities and lost points in front of the opposition’s goalkeeper, this goal was a revelation. By scoring against Barcelona, Stina Blackstenius confirmed her big-game player status and should probably be considered our most clutch player: before netting in Lisbon, the Swede scored in each of the past two finals played by Arsenal, both in the league cup and both against Chelsea.
I’ve been critical of her during the season, in this journal, but I am very happy that she got to score one of the biggest goals of the Arsenal Women history. Somehow, this is the vindication for her obvious goalscoring qualities, and I like to think that it’s her reward for keeping the confidence and for keeping the heads down, letting the pitch do all the talking. Bravo, Stina!
Every single player left her mark on the final and brought her stone to the building, allowing Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius to make history. Since I don’t want to leave anyone out, allow me to sing the praises of every player who set foot on the pitch, on Saturday.
Daphne van Domselaar
The Dutch goalkeeper was less busy than one might have expected, but was alert when Barcelona hit the target and lucky when the ball hit the crossbar, after looping over her head. Her quickness to sweep behind her defensive line made the difference in a couple of dangerous situations. Arsenal found the world-class goalkeeper they were looking for.
Daphne " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
" data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne-780x623.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne.png" class="size-medium wp-image-49357 lazyload" alt="Daphne" width="780" height="623" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne-780x623.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne-780x623.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne-200x160.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne-768x614.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Daphne.png 940w">
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Emily Fox
Probably one of the unsung heros of the team, the U.S. international is one of the most reliable defender in Europe and kept Barcelona forwards quiet throughout the final, moving smartly between the right-back position and a sort of auxiliary centre-back.
Leah Williamson
Led the team for clearances (14) and kept the defensive line together, forcing Barcelona to take long-range shots rather than penetrating the penalty area. Not at her usual best with the ball at her feet, with only 72% of pass completion, but her long passes were key to ease the pressure from Barcelona, when necessary.
Steph Catley
The perfect ally for Leah Williamson, Steph Catley was second for clearances (11) and was way more accurate with the ball, finding her teammates regularly with medium and long passes. Might have been considered as the “weak link” in our defensive line, she responded with a performance for the ages.
Katie McCabe
She played the most minutes in the UWCL of all players who participated in the competition, the Ireland captain was the usual fierce competitor on the left flank. She looked tired and out of gas in recent weeks but found all her energy and combativeness for the biggest game of the season. Finished the game with five blocks, the most for any Arsenal player.
Katie " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
" data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie-780x516.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie.png" class="size-medium wp-image-49358 lazyload" alt="Katie" width="780" height="516" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie-780x516.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie-780x516.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie-200x132.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie-768x508.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Katie.png 1099w">
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Kim Little
If this was to be her final game of her illustrious career, it couldn’t have been better. The Scot was immaculate with the ball and helped control the tempo when we had a chance to beat Barcelona pressing, as well as driving the communication with other players around her. I cannot think of another player who deserved this triumph more than Kim Little.
Mariona Caldentey
The freshly crowned Women Super League player of the season, Mariona Caldentey marked the UWCL final with grit and determination. She attempted the most challenges during the game, which is fairly unusual for a creative midfielder but helped setting the tone for her teammates. With seven goals under her name in this UWCL campaign, she is an obvious candidate for the next Ballon d’Or. What a player we have!
Frida Maanum
Run tirelessly until she made room for Beth Mead, forced a spectacular save and sent in the low cross that Irene Paredes turned into her own goal, before VAR intervened. Her direct style, power and long-range shots make her a unique player at the club but also in elsewhere in England and in Europe. She didn’t have much space to unleash her combination of speed and strength, which limited her impact in the final third.
Chloe Kelly
A surprise inclusion in the starting XI ahead of Beth Mead, the former Manchester City winger helped a lot defensively and finished the game with the most tackles. Despite all the backward running and doubling-up to help Emily Fox, she managed to attack Barcelona full back at every opportunity. Vindicated Renée Sleger’s choice to start her with a selfless, combative performance.
Caitlin Foord
Very much like Chloe Kelly, she didn’t see much of the ball in dangerous areas but helped tremendously while defending. Had a good chance in the first half but sent her header wide from a narrow angle. Made way for Lina Hurtig with five minutes remaining and didn’t spare any energy until then and was one of the first defenders on the pitch.
Alessia Russo
Didn’t score, didn’t assist, didn’t register a single shot on target and had the fewest touches of our starters, on level with Frida Maanum. Despite that, she had a wonderful game and harassed Barcelona defenders at every chance, making it very difficult for them to build from the back. Also, she kept hold of the ball extremely well, and did not misplace a single pass in 97 minutes.
Lessi " data-image-caption="
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
" data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1-780x571.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1.png" class="size-medium wp-image-49359 lazyload" alt="Lessi" width="780" height="571" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1-780x571.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1-780x571.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1-200x146.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1-768x562.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lessi-1.png 1012w">
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Beth Mead
An assist for the history from Beffi, who probably felt unfortunate for not starting the game. Since her ACL rupture, she went from being an explosive winger with a great eye for the goal to being a great provider and a wonderful technician. The vision, touch and execution were simply spot on, on par with the best creators in women’s football.
Stina Blackstenius
Three shots, two on target and a goal in thirty minutes or so. Find me a better game changer if you can! Started brilliantly with a powerful run into the penalty box but fired straight at the goalkeeper. She had another chance a few minutes later and found the goal that won us the cup. The ultimate super-sub, although I am not convinced that this role will suit her in the near future.
Lina Hurtig
Replaced an exhausted Caitlin Foord with five minutes remaining, bringing fresh legs to contain Barcelona’s final attempts. Will leave the club at the end of the season, will do so with a wonderful memory.
Lotte Wubben-Moy
In for Alessia Russo to close up shop, she was switched on from the first seconds and didn’t look fazed despite the pressure. Barcelona didn’t create anything of note in the added time and Lotte is one of the reasons why.
NEXT’S UP
Time for a long break, my dear friends. The season is over for the Arsenal Women team and it’s time for the players to join her national teams for the upcoming European Championship, which will be hold in Switzerland.
Rest up and enjoy the memories we made during this incredibly intense season, whose finale is just wonderful.
We are champions of Europe, ladies and gentlemen!
Speak to you soon!
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Italian living in Switzerland, Gooner since mid-nineties, when the Gunners defeated my hometown team, in Copenhagen. I started my own blog and podcast (www.clockenditalia.com) after after some experiences with Italian websites and football magazines. Covering Arsenal Women with the occasional rant about the boys.
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