Boss Renee Slegers reveals she predicted Arsenal's Champions League-winning goal
The Gunners remain the only English team to lift the trophy, doing so for a second time 18 years after they became the first as part of an historic quadruple-winning campaign.
And it was a decision by the 36-year-old head coach that proved especially prescient as Blackstenius' fellow replacement Beth Mead provided the pinpoint pass to tee up the Sweden international.
'I was joking with Beth after the game, I was like, 'I told you, give the ball to Stina and she will score',' Slegers told DAZN.
What it means 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/BQBpLsd3Oz
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
'No, it's not that easy. You do everything you can, you make decisions all the time, players on the pitch and also on the sidelines, getting the timing right.
'All the credit to the players, how they've been dealing with this occasion has been superb.'
Dutchwoman Slegers was a former assistant to ex-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, appointed to the top job on an interim basis when he and the club parted ways in October following a poor run of form.
The Gunners have thrived under her, with multiple players crediting their young head coach throughout the campaign for helping them rediscover their love of the game.
Renée Slegers, take a bow 👏#UWCL || #UWCLfinal pic.twitter.com/2usf3EU4SB
— UEFA Women's Champions League (@UWCL) May 24, 2025
She has now paid off the club's faith in her, rewarding them with the silverware they have so long craved.
On Saturday, at the home of Sporting Lisbon, Slegers' Arsenal showed incredible resilience, unfazed after a first-half Barcelona own goal was disallowed by VAR for offside, and resolute against waves of attack from the defending champions, who came close to opening the scoring when Claudia Pina clipped the crossbar shortly after the break.
The Gunners held on to their advantage, fending off seven minutes of stoppage time before they could finally celebrate.
Slegers' side eliminated the winners of the last nine combined Champions Leagues en route to this final, seeing off eight-time winners Lyon and now Barcelona, who have lifted the trophy in three of the last four seasons.
Etched in history 🏆 pic.twitter.com/4Deeivz4lb
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025
The Gunners completed an impressive comeback over Lyon in the semi-finals after losing the first leg 2-1 at home, then beating the eight-time Champions League winners – and last season's runners-up – 4-1 in France to advance 5-3 on aggregate.
Slegers added: 'I think Arsenal have always been leading the way since the start, and they have been working so hard as a club. But definitely you see things, this season, I think, in the team, and that's signs of a winning team.
'You struggle together, you suffer together, you find ways to win, and I think in the critical moments, in high-pressure moments, we've done that this season.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal star David Raya dresses as an air stewardess and serves passengers for his Las Vegas stag do after proposing to his model fiancee last year
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya let his hair down for his stag do by dressing as an air stewardess and serving passengers on a flight to Las Vegas. Raya proposed to his model fiancee Tatiana Trouboul in October, but has had to wait until the end of the season for his bachelor party. With the campaign now over following Spain's Nations League final defeat by Portugal on Sunday, Raya is free to celebrate with his friends, and they pulled out all the stops as they headed Stateside. The 29-year-old was happy to wear an air stewardess outfit and he was pictured with a beaming smile as he handed over cookies to passengers during their flight to Vegas. Raya was joined by his brother Oscar and Spanish comedian Tomas Garcia Serrano. Several LaLiga footballers also made the trip, including Getafe's Diego Rico Salguero as well as Rayo Vallecano pair Adri Embarba and Unai Lopez. The group appeared in good spirits as they posed for a photo once they touched down in Vegas, with Raya also sharing photos from the famous Sin City strip. Snaps were also posted online of Raya posing in a swimming pool alongside his friends. Bright sunshine greeted Raya and Co as the Arsenal star kicked back and relaxed after a long, hard season. Raya and Trouboul's wedding date is currently unknown. The couple have been together since 2021, but did not go public with their relationship until the following year. Trouboul hails from Barcelona, but now lives in London with Raya, having moved her life across to the UK to support the Arsenal shot-stopper. Raya got down on one knee last year at a candlelit dinner, and subsequently posted photos of the evening shortly before Arsenal faced Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Gunners went on to lose that match 2-0, but Raya enjoyed another strong season at Arsenal as he finished as the Premier League Golden Glove winner alongside Nottingham Forest's Matz Sels. Raya now has some time off to enjoy his stag do and spend more time with Trouboul ahead of returning to pre-season training with Arsenal next month. He could face increased pressure for his place next season, with Arsenal set to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. However, he is still likely to remain Mikel Arteta's No 1 for now after making that spot his own over the last two seasons.
Press and Journal
an hour ago
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen defender Jack Milne could follow £4.75million star's Pittodrie career path, says legend Brian Irvine
Signing Jack Milne on a long-term contract is a masterstroke by Aberdeen as the defender's career rise could mirror Scott McKenna's, says legend Brian Irvine. Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin and the Pittodrie hierarchy recently tied centre-back Milne on an extended deal in April until summer 2029. A month-after committing his long term future to the club Milne played a key role in the Scottish Cup final triumph – in only his third start of the season. The 22-year-old delivered a stellar performance at Hampden as the Dons lifted the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1990. Irvine netted the winning penalty in the 1990 cup win and was at the national stadium to watch Milne shine at the heart of a five-man defence. He reckons youth academy graduate Milne's performance proves he has the potential to emulate the Pittodrie career path of Scotland international McKenna. McKenna emerged through the Aberdeen youth system to become a first team star before securing a £3million move to then-English Championship Nottingham Forest in 2020. The figure Aberdeen banked for McKenna rose to £4.75m due to add-ons being achieved when he helped Forest earn promotion to the Premier League in 2022. Irvine said: 'Signing Jack Milne on a long-term contract until 2029 is a great move by Aberdeen. 'He delivered a fantastic performance in the Scottish Cup final that was extremely mature for a young player. 'Milne can take real confidence from how he played at Hampden and will benefit from that going forward. 'It could ultimately be another Scott McKenna situation where Milne gets a big move from Aberdeen in the future. 'McKenna was superb for Aberdeen for a number of seasons then went on to get the big transfer to England. 'At club and international level McKenna has had a fantastic career since coming through at Aberdeen. 'Milne could potentially mirror that.' Aberdeen's Scottish Cup final triumph has secured guaranteed European league action next season and a Uefa cash bonus of around £5million. The Dons will enter the Europa League play-offs with ties played on August 21 and 28. Should they lose the play-off, Aberdeen will parachute into the Conference League. Manager Jimmy Thelin has already began bolstering his squad in a bid to balance European league action with domestic commitments. Australian international striker Kusini Yengi, 26, has signed a pre-contract. Yengi will arrive on a free following the expiration of his contract with Portsmouth. Versatile left-back Emmanuel Gyamfi, 20, was signed from German Bundesliga 2 club FC Schalke 04 on a four-year-deal for an undisclosed fee. Australian winger Nicolas Milanovic was also secured for around £400,000 from A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers. The 23-year-old was recently named the A-League player of the year. Keeper Nick Suman, 25, was also secured and will join the Reds when his contract with Cove Rangers expires later this month. Aberdeen are in advanced talks with multiple transfer targets ahead of the summer transfer window. Irvine is confident the Reds will build on the Scottish Cup triumph. He said: 'All the Aberdeen players should take huge confidence from the cup win. 'Ultimately they lost out on that third-placed Premiership finish. 'But that was overtaken by qualifying for the Europa League play-off anyway by winning the Scottish Cup. 'It has been a great season for all the players and now they should build on that. 'Thelin signed a lot of players in his first season, with many Scandinavians, and it takes a little time to settle. 'They'll have more confidence and experience to take the next step in their Aberdeen career. 'There will be more new signings in the summer window. 'However, most of the players have been under Thelin for a year and we will see the best of them next season.' Pittodrie great Irvine famously scored the winning penalty as the Dons triumphed 9-8 in a spot-kick shoot-out against Celtic in the 1990 Scottish Cup final. Irvine was back at Hampden for further penalty shoot-out drama. Only this time he was watching as one of the 20,000 Aberdeen supporters who cheered the Reds to a 4-3 triumph on penalties. Aberdeen also won the Scottish Cup on Irvine's 60th birthday. He said: 'I was down on a supporters' bus that was arranged by the club, and left from Pittodrie. 'At Hampden, I sat in amongst the supporters – because I am one myself. 'I was there with my daughter's partner. 'It was a slightly different position from 35 years ago… but just as nervy! 'When we won the Scottish Cup for the first time since 1990, it was a very emotional moment. 'I'm delighted for the players, the club and the fans. 'It was extra special because Aberdeen won the cup on my 60th birthday. 'A lot of supporters took selfies with me at Hampden, which I really enjoyed. 'On the journey home the music was pumping out with lots of songs sung. 'We got back to Pittodrie just ahead of the team bus which arrived just after 11. 'The night was probably still young for the youngsters, but 60-year-old me thought I had better go home. 'The unity between the club and city is strong at the moment which is fantastic to see.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Arsenal target new defender as they monitor Premier League captain and ask about Ajax star in bid to add to their squad after going trophyless again
Arsenal have asked about a potential move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato. The highly rated centre back made his senior debut at just 16 years old and became an undisputed starter for the Eredivisie side last season. Now 19, Hato has been appointed as one of Ajax's vice-captains, and was named Eredivisie Talent of the Year in 2024-25. The star, who can play left back and centre back, is also a target for Chelsea, who are once again on the hunt for reinforcements in defence. Liverpool fans were convinced they had spotted the Hato in the stands during the Reds' 4-1 win over Ipswich in January. One of the most sought-after talents in Europe, he was first called up to the Dutch senior squad in November 2023 for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Ireland and Gibraltar. His debut come when he replaced Virgil van Dijk at half time against the latter. Mikel Arteta is looking to bolster his side on the back of another trophyless season at the club At club level, he joined Ajax in 2018 from Sparta Rotterdam, and made his way through the academy before debuting for the senior side in November 2022. Since then, he has made 92 appearances for Ajax, scoring four goals. Arsenal also hold interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi but he would want greater starting opportunities if he left. Palace anticipate offers will come from Newcastle and Chelsea for Guehi. The Magpies made a plethora of failed bids for the England international last summer, whom Palace demanded £70m for. Arsenal target Leroy Sane,meanwhile, is joining Galatasaray in a shock move after failing to agree on a new contract at Bayern Munich.
