We became FIFA Women's Champions Cup winners for the first time with Sunday's 3-2 victory over Corinthians.
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Goals from Olivia Smith, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Caitlin Foord ensured we made history and became champions of the world while becoming the only women's football club to win every top trophy available.
But how did we do it, and what made us so good at responding to setbacks? Adrian Clarke has gone through the stats and footage to reveal all:
the dominant force
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A spirited Corinthians side set their stall out to sit deep in a low defensive block, with counter attacks and set pieces their focus.
This meant that Renée Slegers’ side had the bulk of possession, 72.2% of it overall, producing wave after wave of forays into the final third.
There were some breakaways which caused alarm (and the Brazilians did score from a set play) but in the main Arsenal moved the ball around very well.
Both central defenders barely misplaced a pass between them despite reaching three figures, with Steph Catley finding a teammate with 108 of her 111 passes.
Spanish star Mariona Caldentey was also a member of the 100-pass club, as the Gunners racked up an astonishing 854 in the 120 minutes of action.
**arsenal**
**stats**
**corinthians**
72.2%
Possession
27.8%
854
Passes
326
31
Shots
15
13
Shots on target
6
All that distribution inevitably led to a patient approach, but there was always a positive purpose and intent about Arsenal’s efforts on the ball.
That’s why we racked up an impressive 31 shots during this final, with 13 of them hitting the target.
England stars Alessia Russo, full of running from beginning to end, and Beth Mead, were particularly unlucky not to score in this showpiece.
Russo had six shots (four on target) and Mead had five (two on target), but keeper Leticia consistently denied them.
a lethal left-hand side
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We caused our opponents major problems down the left wing, with starter Olivia Smith and substitute Caitlin Foord both tormenting the right back.
Smith, who was exceptionally bright during the first half, scored the all-important opener, slamming home a rebound on the volley after Stina Blackstenius’ shot had been parried…
In extra time Foord would go on to score the winner, and it was noticeable that between them they produced eight shots.
Smith netted from one of three attempts before hobbling off with an injury, while Australia international Foord found the target with three of her five shots.
Corinthians never got to grips with either player.
calm leaders stepped up
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They may have been pre-match favourites, but this was a testing clash for Slegers’ side, who had some setbacks to deal with during the final.
Pleasingly the Gunners kept cool heads when those difficulties arose, with the vastly experienced Kim Little and Lotte Wubben-Moy arguably our two best players on the night.
Little’s tenacity, ball retention skills and sound decision-making stood out as always, while Wubben-Moy delivered an immaculate display in the heart of our back four.
She also put us in front with a textbook downward header from a superb Emily Fox cross.
In the second phase of play from a wide free kick, Wubben-Moy could not have met the centre with a cleaner header which flew into the corner.
Late on, the 27-year-old also made a crucial block to ensure Arsenal’s lead remained intact.
To recover from the frustration of conceding an injury-time penalty, the side needed calm heads and both Little and Wubben-Moy delivered it.
a classic counter
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The Corinthians’ game plan was to create problems from turnovers and fast breaks, but they were on the receiving end of a high-class counter for the decisive winning goal.
With opposition players committed to forward areas from a free kick, it was a fabulous piece of pressure applied by striker Russo, and half-time substitute Frida Maanum, which created the turnover…
Maaunum then showed great physical strength to win her 50-50 duel, before racing towards goal in a 3v3 that had Corinthians back-pedalling.
Then came the key moment (which choice of pass would the Norwegian attacking midfielder make?) and she made exactly the right decision, feeding the ball left to Foord who did not need to break stride…
The angle was tight for Foord, but as she was losing her balance the 31-year-old showed great technique to carefully guide her left-footed strike towards a gap which had been left at the near post.
It was the forward’s first goal since September, and a strike which is now etched in the history of Arsenal Football Club…
brilliant from borbe
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Corinthians were sharp in forward areas, so despite having limited amounts of the ball their sprightly front line always carried menace.
Thankfully, 25-year-old keeper Anneke Borbe was in outstanding form.
She tipped the ball onto the bar with an athletic save from distance in the first half, before making two more wonderful saves to keep us in the ascendency.
This tip over from a looping header was dealt with excellently…
And Borbe also spread her body brilliantly to ensure Corinthians did not score from a 1v1 that they looked nailed on to convert in the second half…
It was sad to see Borbe leave the field on a stretcher in a neck brace during the final stages, following an accidental collision between the German and Wubben-Moy.
Her replacement Daphne van Domselaar touchingly wore Borbe’s shirt for the trophy lift, as all of the players and staff sent their thoughts and love to her amid the celebrations.
It was a top display from Anneke, and we all send her our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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