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Arsenal stars Kim Little and Caitlin Foord have shared their delight after the Gunners’ spectacular 5-3 aggregate victory over Lyon, securing a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for the first time in 18 years.
Few would have predicted the emphatic 4-1 second-leg victory in Lyon, a performance that overturned a first-leg deficit and sent shockwaves through European football. Arsenal will now face Barcelona in the final on May 24, as they bid to lift the prestigious trophy for only the second time in the club’s history.
Lyon, who had claimed a narrow win at the Emirates Stadium just a week earlier, were unrecognisable on home soil and will be left ruing a huge missed opportunity.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, Arsenal captain Kim Little described reaching the final as a “really special moment.”
READ MORE: Arsenal Women stun Lyon to reach first Champions League final in 18 years
“It means a lot, which I think you can tell by the emotion,” said Little. “This is an incredible football club, and we’ve had numerous games in the Champions League without quite making it back to the final since winning it in 2007. We’re excited and can’t wait to represent this great club once again.”
Special player. Kim Little. Take a bow. 👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/pgBP5Kp7cG
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) April 27, 2025
Reflecting on the Gunners’ performance, Little praised the team’s belief and execution: “We believe in each other. We’re very good at sticking to our game plans. I think we did fairly well in the first leg, but today we executed it very well, and we were clinical. I think we thoroughly deserved to win.”
The Arsenal skipper also credited interim head coach Renee Slegers for her impact, saying she has brought “calmness and composure” to the squad during a crucial period of the season.
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Meanwhile, forward Caitlin Foord paid tribute to the travelling Arsenal supporters, many of whom were seated high up in Lyon’s stadium.
Caitlin Foord (Image credit: Getty Images)“I’m so proud to be part of this club and to have fans like that,” said Foord. “Seeing them up there in the nosebleeds, supporting us all the way, meant everything.”
Looking ahead to the final against Barcelona, Foord added: “It will be a tough game, and in a final anything can happen. It’s an exciting moment for us. I can’t wait to take them on.”
Barcelona, who demolished Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in the other semifinal, will provide formidable opposition. However, buoyed by a historic night in France, Arsenal will head into the final full of belief as they chase European glory once more.
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