Lyon, France – The air crackled with raw, unfiltered joy on April 27, 2025, as Arsenal’s women’s team carved their name into the history books, storming into their first Champions League final in 18 years with a 4-1 demolition of Lyon. The Groupama Stadium, a fortress for the eight-time champions, became the stage for a comeback that left 500 traveling Arsenal fans hoarse and delirious, their chants bouncing off the stands like a victory hymn.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a resurrection. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg at the Emirates on April 19, Arsenal faced a Lyon side that’s been the gold standard in women’s football. But the Gunners, spurred by a gritty resolve, flipped the script. They pounced on Lyon’s mistakes with surgical precision, converting four of their six shots on target into goals. The numbers tell a story of ruthlessness: Lyon, despite their pedigree, couldn’t match Arsenal’s hunger.
The match was a masterclass in seizing the moment. Arsenal’s players, from veterans like Kim Little, who’s pushing 35, to the younger guns, played with a fire that burned through Lyon’s defense. Little’s emotional outpouring at the final whistle said it all—18 years of near-misses, heartbreak, and rebuilds had led to this. The Gunners had done what even Chelsea, the Women’s Super League juggernauts, couldn’t: overturn a first-leg deficit against elite European opposition.
This triumph marks only the second time Arsenal’s women have reached the Champions League final, the first being their 2007 victory, when they became the only English club to lift the trophy. Renee Slegers, the former Arsenal academy player turned head coach, now stands on the cusp of etching her name alongside that legacy. At Lyon, her tactics were spot-on, adjusting from the first leg’s missteps to outmaneuver a team that’s dominated the competition for decades.
The road to this point wasn’t smooth. Arsenal had to claw their way past Real Madrid earlier in the tournament, another comeback fueled by tactical tweaks and sheer will. Now, they face their toughest test yet: Barcelona, the reigning champions, in the final. It’s a daunting prospect, but after dismantling Lyon on their own turf, Arsenal’s belief is unshakable.
The scenes at full-time were electric. Players embraced, staff rushed the pitch, and those 500 fans—perched high in the 60,000-seat stadium—roared as if they were 50,000. For Arsenal, this wasn’t just a semi-final win; it was a statement. They’re back on Europe’s biggest stage, and they’re not here to make up the numbers.
Arsenal’s last Champions League final appearance was in 2007. They won the competition that year, defeating Umeå 1-0 on aggregate. The 2025 final against Barcelona is set for May 25 in Lisbon.