Arsenal Women are European Champions. Again.

Even as I type those words, it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel true. Even after having rewatched the match countless times, consumed the social media content, seen the photos, witnessed the trophy being lifted above the armoury whilst Katie McCabe led the celebrations, and recounted my own memories of being in that stadium watching Stina Blackstenius score the winner, it still hasn’t sunk in. I fear it may never will.

I can guarantee that any photographer at the trophy lift has a minimum of 607 photos of Katie. Giving us plenty of content to work with ? ? pic.twitter.com/R3aX97RXdP

— Suzy (@Boodlepim) May 27, 2025

Because Arsenal winning trophies, especially trophies of this magnitude, is not of this present side. It is a callback to the past of 20 years ago, to the class of 2007, whose finest achievement is painted on the wall of Emirates Stadium. And yet, as captain Kim Little collected the trophy from its podium, as she, along with Leah Williamson, raised the trophy in the air in front of her jubilant teammates, whilst 5,000+ Arsenal fans celebrated in the stadium and plenty more back home, the truth was there for all to see. Arsenal are European Champions again. The greatest, most unexpected day in their history since that April afternoon at Meadow Park in 2007. And now, their greatest opportunity.

Kim Little and Leah Williamson lift the Champions League!!!! pic.twitter.com/UZOBrJhJwh

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) May 24, 2025

By rights, Arsenal should have been nowhere near the Champions League Final, let alone winning it. Never before has a side completed the 15-match gauntlet from qualifiers to champions since the format was introduced in 2021. And this was far from a procession for Arsenal. Every two-legged tie saw them succumb to defeat yet still defy the odds to come back again and again and again.

BK Häcken’s late sucker punch knocked Arsenal off-balance, yet they were able to steady themselves and comprehensively overpower their Swedish opponents back at Meadow Park, a result which would prove to be Jonas Eidevall’s last European triumph as Arsenal manager.

Bayern Munich bludgeoned Arsenal into submission in the group stage, Pernille Harder’s hat-trick the nails in Eidevall’s managerial coffin and almost certainly Arsenal’s European aspirations. But in their rematch at a wet and windy Meadow Park, with fresh guidance from the touchline, Arsenal picked themselves up from the canvas, matched Bayern move for move and scored with a devastating late jab right at the death to clinch victory and top spot in the group.

Two savage blows to the solar plexus in the mud of Madrid left Arsenal gasping for oxygen, but Real’s reluctance to finish the job, instead choosing to see out the remaining time on the clock, would prove to be their undoing. Arsenal’s remontada response at Emirates Stadium, with a brutal uppercut through Russo’s brace and Mariona’s header, knocked Real Madrid out of the ring, the third time Arsenal had overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit in Europe, and the only women’s side to do so.

But surely seasoned competitors Lyon would be their undoing? To comeback against Real Madrid is one thing, but the record title winners? Kadidiatou Diani’s early strike and Melchie Dumornay's late finish left Arsenal clinging onto the ropes and provided a mountain surely insurmountable to climb. But climb they did, at the Groupama Stadium, thanks in part to Lyon manager Joe Montemurro’s tactical implosion opening the door for Arsenal’s resurrection. Mariona’s brutal right hook to the jaw on the bell sent the French champions reeling, and they were finished off completely when a defensive collapse gifted goals to Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord.

But Barcelona, Barcelona, the Spanish champions, the reigning European champions, with two double Ballon d’Or winners in their midfield at the epitome of their perfection. Surely, they won’t be bent to the will of Renée Slegers’ plucky underdogs? Not the side that stuck 10 goals past former champions Wolfsburg. Not the side that took Sonia Bompastor’s undefeated treble winners and reduced them to a snivelling wreck, making a mockery of those who positioned them as the best England had to offer. And not against a side who in their last three games and seen 12 goals fly into their own net.

And yet, in the intense 26-degree heat of Lisbon, Arsenal stood firm, with a heroic defensive team display, on par with Umea in 2007 and Parma in 1994. The Catalan titan’s attacking thrust may not have carried the same potency as in the previous rounds, but they were still forcing a resilient Arsenal to keep their guard up, keeping them hemmed in. That was until a tactical change from Slegers, the introduction of Blackstenius, and when Barcelona over-extended themselves, a direct hit between the eyes that floored the reigning, soon to be deposed, champions. Arsenal, against all the odds, are European Champions again.

However, now that the partying is over, the hangovers nurtured, the speakers shut down and the confetti swept away, the real work begins for Arsenal. It is one thing to ascend to glory; it is quite another to sustain it. As much as the Class of 2007 are rightly revered, they never came close to emulating that same success outside of England. This is as much a triumph for Arsenal as it is an opportunity, a chance to end Chelsea’s dominance at home once and for all.

There is important admin to take care of in the immediate present, starting with Chloe Kelly. From her social media posts, celebrations at the trophy presentation, and joining fans for a celebratory drink in The Tollington, she has made her stance abundantly clear as to where her heart now lies. 

The return of Kelly on loan in January at the time held an element of fantastical romance to it, the departed academy graduate finally returning home to her roots. But fantasy has since become reality. Kelly has found her smile, found her love of the game again, and is adored by the fans. With Kelly a free agent in the summer, it seems inconceivable that she will be playing anywhere else next season. A new contract must surely be put on the table. Likewise, with Slegers.

In Renée Slegers, Arsenal undoubtedly have one of the most exciting managerial prospects in the game. At just 36 years old, she became the youngest female manager to win the Champions League, and the first Dutchwoman to do so. Quite the achievement for someone who began the season as part of the backroom staff and only took on the role full time five months ago.

The rise of Renée, from member of staff to managerial masterclass, is a rapid as it is remarkable, and Arsenal must now do all they can do to secure her services for the long term. As per the norm at Arsenal, a short term, 18-month contract was initially given to Slegers when she became the full-time manager. That surely must be extended now. Arsenal’s previous attempts to return to sustained supremacy since 2014 have resulted in false dawns under Pedro Martinez Losa, Joe Montemurro and Jonas Eidevall. Slegers has surpassed all of them, bringing not only success, but genuine hope for the future of the football club.

And so, to the future. Not since 2019 have Arsenal gone into a summer window in such a position of strength. As much as Chelsea can boast and brag about their treble winning season (and rightly so), Arsenal can counter by planting a Champions League trophy atop the negotiating table. Strong attendances and a passionate fan culture are one thing, medals and major trophies are quite another. To possess both is an enticing cocktail that should prove irresistible to those wishing to come to the club and drink its nectar. And despite their courageous efforts in Lisbon, this is a team that needs improvement.

Steph Catley’s shift to left centre-back provided Arsenal with much needed balance in the heart of the defence, but the adhesive on that band-aid was beginning to fail in the run-in for second place. Arsenal have never truly replaced the unicorn that was Rafaelle, the need for a strong, tall, left footed centre back is as strong now as it was last season.

With Lina Hurtig now departed, Arsenal once again require a winger, even more so if Kelly somehow does not play in red and white next season. Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord have both had strong seasons, but they cannot be expected to do all the running. Depth has been badly needed there for some time, a void in the squad that can be overlooked no more.

Victoria Pelova’s return from her ACL injury will give much needed depth to Arsenal’s midfield, but the need for a strong alternative to Lia Wälti remains. Kyra Cooney-Cross possesses plenty of talent, as seen at the start of the year when Little and Wälti were absent through injury. Yet her talents appear better suited further up the pitch with her ball distribution, particularly from set pieces, than at the fulcrum. The attempts to purchase Keira Walsh from Barcelona ultimately fell flat, but this is a position in the team Arsenal should still be pursuing.

Kim Little finally getting her hands on the Champions League trophy is just reward for a glittering career that has included two successful spells at Arsenal. As Leah Williamson told the team in the post-match huddle at Lyon, she is a player who should have won five or six Champions Leagues by now. Arsenal’s captain extended her stay at the club by one further year in February, but with her playing time reduced this season, it is clear the endgame is near for one of the greatest midfielders to ever grace the game. Finding a means of managing her transition out of the team, either with existing players stepping up, or a new arrival, is a critical quandary that must be solved for the long-term direction of the club.

This is what winning the Champions League did to me.Captured by the amazing @sarah_raygain ? https://t.co/gPJWm7KjrX

— Adam Salter ?? (@Adam_Salter4) May 28, 2025

Nothing in football is permanent. All empires of success fall into ruin with the entropy of time. The glory of 2007 was forsaken, six years on, Arsenal had lost their league title and would only win it back once more since. But football clubs can be rebuilt. Trophy cabinets can be repopulated. As dusk passes on one era, a new dawn can rise. Vic Akers’ side are rightly positioned as the pinnacle of achievement at Arsenal, but it has also proved to be a mantle of responsibility too great to bear by those who have been tasked with carrying on their grand legacy, until now. Now they have the chance not to be weighed down by their history; but to instead write their own. The Champions League cannot be the end; it must be the start of something greater.

For now, a new empire stands opposed to Arsenal, six consecutive titles strong and well set to claim a seventh in a row if no-one else chooses to oppose them. Europe may be red, but back home, England is well and truly blue. The task of deposing Chelsea next season will be difficult, unlikely, maybe even impossible, so fortified is their position, so strong is their financial backing.

But if this European conquest has taught us anything, it’s that this Arsenal side are not daunted by the prospect of impossibility. It is merely a challenge to be relished, to be overcome. And this summer, they have the perfect opportunity to construct a side with the capacity to batter down those reinforced doors, storm the impenetrable keep, take the WSL back to North London, and establish a new era of success to surpass even their predecessors.