Introduction:

It’s hard to put into words the emotions experienced as that final whistle went in Lyon. I was up in the highest stands, jumping into the arms of other Arsenal fans as we watched the players celebrate below us. 

Arsenal Women - Champions League finalists. 

442 days ago I published one of my first ever Arsenal pieces, discussing why Arsenal lost to West Ham. That feels like a lifetime ago, and that Arsenal team, despite having many of the same players, is worlds away from the one that thrashed Lyon in their own backyard on Sunday. 

The season isn’t over, and yet there’s a feeling- a sense that something special is building. Renee Slegers is only just getting started. A new era is unfolding at this club, and I feel incredibly lucky to be here for it, following this team across borders, through highs and lows, sharing every step of the journey.

We All Follow the Arsenal:

The trip to Lyon marked my 20th consecutive Arsenal Women’s match without missing a single one, and my 28th of the season overall. From Crawley to Manchester, Madrid to Lyon, it’s been a journey across countries and countless miles. With Lisbon on the horizon, Villa tomorrow, and that final Emirates showdown against Manchester United still to come, the season’s not over yet. But somehow, I’m already reminiscing like it is.

We spoke all about the Lyon trip on the latest episode of the Gooner Fanzine podcast, which is available to watch here. 

Even before kick-off, there was this electric undercurrent of belief and optimism among the travelling fans. I headed to the pre-match meet-up just before midday- a bar just outside the stadium that welcomed us brilliantly. The place quickly filled with Arsenal supporters, no surprise, with 500 away-end tickets sold.

We watched the Chelsea v Barcelona game together before setting off on the fan walk to the stadium, where we were met by the incredible Lyon fans. They bowed their hats, waved their scarves, clapped our support, and even after the final whistle, they congratulated us and wished us luck in the final. Pure class.

The sun lit up just one part of the stadium: the Arsenal fans, tucked away in the gods but louder than ever. The singing started early, and before we’d even settled in, the first goal went in. Lyon looked rattled. The comeback was already on. 

We needed a second, and of course, it was Mariona Caldentey who delivered- somehow finding space that didn’t exist to bury a stunning strike. She’s stepped up time and time again for Arsenal this season. The big occasion just doesn’t shake her (no pun intended).

At half-time, the concourse turned into a dance floor. You never want to get ahead of yourself in games like this, but it really felt like we had one foot in the final.

Lyon have only conceded more than four goals twice in their 152 UWCL matches - both times, at home to Arsenal. Yet not many saw this coming. As the second half began, Alessia Russo capitalised on more defensive nerves to slot in a third. Chaos in the away end.

Then came the unthinkable: a slip in Lyon’s box gifted Caitlin Foord our fourth. Lyon did manage a consolation, which at the time felt like it could shift the momentum - but Arsenal weren’t letting go. Every single player put in a defensive shift for the ages.

The final whistle blew: elation. We applauded the players, sang until our voices gave out, and wound our way down what felt like a million concrete steps, still singing every step of the way. The celebrations carried on in the pub for hours afterwards. We were all still processing what we’d just seen.

Somehow, I even ended up chatting with Chloe Kelly’s husband, Scott, about my travel plans for Lisbon and just how badly we want Chloe to stay at Arsenal. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover it.

How on Earth Did Arsenal Pull That Off?

After Arsenal’s 2-1 loss in the first leg against Lyon, it somehow didn’t feel like a defeat. I know that might sound strange, but there was this collective belief - it wasn’t over. Arsenal weren’t going to give in that easily.

Mentally, they never wavered. There were barely any moments of weakness. Even the goal conceded didn’t feel like a lapse. Lyon’s changes in the second leg didn’t have the impact they’d hoped for, and the threats that caused problems in the first leg seemed completely shut down. That all stemmed from Arsenal’s relentless pressing, giving Lyon no space to play out from the back or find their forwards.

The backline, bolstered by a returning Daphne Van Domselaar, was immense. Positionally sharper than in the first leg, dominant in the air, and quick to close down Lyon’s most dangerous players. They didn’t let up for a second. It was clear: Renee Slegers had done her homework.

Of course, Arsenal were helped by mistakes from a Lyon side that rarely make them. For all their European pedigree, it just wasn’t their night. But Arsenal still had to make those chances count- and they did. That pressure, on that stage, can undo even the best teams. But this side stood tall.

Something tells me that before Slegers came in, this team might not have handled it the same way. There's a different mindset now. A tougher edge.

But the biggest challenge is still to come: Barcelona. The best side in the world, no question. Arsenal won’t be given a second leg this time- it’s 90 minutes, one shot at glory. But they’re only 90 minutes away from becoming European champions once again.