The trumpeting of the half-time whistle was the signal for the players to return to the bowels of Emirates Stadium. Arsenal were 1-0 to the good against Fulham, thanks to an early header from Julio Baptista, but that aside, there had been little for the home crowd to celebrate. Another season had passed them by, the move to new surroundings had not brought with it the success long associated with the marble halls of Highbury. Or so it appeared.

Whilst Arsene Wenger imparted his wisdom in the dressing room, another Arsenal manager entered the fray. Vic Akers, flanked by Jayne Ludlow and Anita Asante, strode out onto the green carpet, the UEFA Women’s Cup held aloft. The Arsenal faithful greeted their arrival with warm applause, honouring the heroes who had brought home Arsenal’s first European trophy for thirteen years.

More was to follow. Eight days later, Arsenal were in the FA Cup Final against Charlton Athletic, the final trophy to add to the season’s collection. Restored to the starting lineup was Kelly Smith, who showed her class as early as the seventh minute, with a perfectly executed free kick beyond the reach of Toni-Anne Wayne.

It was the perfect response after Charlton had taken a shock 2-minute lead through Katie Holtham’s tap in. But there would be no upset. Arsenal swept Charlton aside, with Ludlow’s 35-yard wonder volley capping a fine brace before the break. Smith secured a brace of her own 10 minutes before time, as Arsenal completed football for that season. 4 major trophies. The Community Shield and the London County Cup. Every League game won. Only 2 draws in all competitions. Unbeaten. Arsenal had won it all.

7th May 2007FA Cup FinalCharlton Athletic 1-4 Arsenal??Katie Holtham (2)????Kelly Smith (7, 80)????Jayne Ludlow (15, 45+1) pic.twitter.com/kwtIhmzUFB

— The Arsenal Women Archive (@TheAWArchive) May 7, 2025

But having at last ascended to the summit of ultimate glory, the real challenge of retaining their grip at the top had now begun. Later that same year, Arsenal’s defence of their title paired them with European newcomers Lyon in the quarter finals. Having drawn 0-0 in France, the Gunners were confident they would be able to finish the job.

‘We had the better chances, especially in the first half, but the second half was more even’ assistant manager Emma Hayes told the press. ‘In front of our home crowd next week, we'll be more attacking and hopefully we can get the win that will take us into the semis.’

Emma Hayes may have had confidence in the team and the home support, but what she couldn’t have foreseen was the torrential rain and dire conditions they would be playing in. On the same night as ‘The Wally with the Brolly’ at Wembley Stadium, Arsenal struggled on a waterlogged Meadow Park pitch. And just as with England that night, they too succumbed to a 3-2 defeat, thanks to Élodie Thomis’ winner 5 minutes from the end. Arsenal’s reign at the top of the European tree had lasted just seven months.

The following season, in what would prove to be Vic Akers’ final season in charge, Arsenal made the quarter finals again. In a poetic twist of fate, they were once again drawn against Umeå, the opposition whose downfall had given Akers his greatest success. This time around, there would be no fairytale, no heroic defensive effort, no last-minute winner. Arsenal enjoyed a narrow win at Meadow Park, but it was rendered insignificant after what followed. In the second leg in Sweden, Marta tore Arsenal to ribbons, scoring within the first minute and adding three more in a 6-0 rout, completing a comprehensive 8-3 aggregate win. Umeå had their revenge for 2007, whilst Arsenal, having had the privilege of briefly brushing the gold tint of European success, had now been cast out into the abyss. Arsenal’s time at the top was over, both in Europe and at home. After years of infinite success, a painful, darker chapter awaited them in the years to come. But that’s a story for another time…