Latest news with #ArsenalWFC
South Wales Guardian
26-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
‘Buzzing' Alessia Russo left wanting more by Arsenal's Champions League success
They are still the only English club to win the women's edition, having done it once before Saturday's 1-0 victory over Barcelona as part of an historic quadruple in 2007. The triumph also guarantees Arsenal a direct place in next season's Champions League league phase – alongside Women's Super League winners Chelsea – after becoming the first team in history to reach the final from qualifying round one. 'I'm absolutely buzzing,' said Russo, after substitute Stina Blackstenius' 74th-minute strike proved enough to inspire the underdogs to victory over a Barca side that had conquered Europe in 2021, 2023 and 2024. CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'I can't really put it into words, it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We didn't really want to say it too much, but we all kind of had this feeling. 'We knew we could and we just had to go and deliver.' The result means Arsenal will also represent Europe in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year, entering as automatic semi-finalists. And while it is the brilliant culmination of a hard-fought campaign – and seven-month journey under boss Renee Slegers – Russo also sees it as just a first step. 'I feel like that massively,' she said. 'When you win things, you want to win things even more, and also you know you're good enough to do it. 'I think it was important to win for many reasons, but now we want to win more. We want to go back and start next year strong. We want to compete domestically more so than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.' The returning champions will celebrate their title on Monday alongside 10,000 fans in Armoury Square outside the Emirates Stadium in London, where the trophy lift will take place at around 1140 in the morning. Celebrating together 🫶 Details of Monday's Armoury Square trophy lift are confirmed 📋 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 It is a quick turnaround ahead of the next international window, beginning for Russo and England with Friday's Nations League meeting with Portugal at Wembley. Arsenal's victory is a testament to resilience and risk. Forward Chloe Kelly revealed after the triumph that she had nearly taken a break from football after finding herself in 'a dark place' at Manchester City before joining the Gunners on loan in January. And two days before teeing up Blackstenius' winner in the final, England forward and second-half substitute Beth Mead, writing for the Players' Tribune, penned a heartfelt tribute to her mother, June, who died from ovarian cancer in 2023. Then there is the rise of former assistant Slegers, who was appointed as the permanent head coach in January after serving on an interim basis since October, no doubt beating out more proven candidates for one of the most coveted jobs in women's football. 'It means so much, for everyone who has built towards this across many years,' said the 36-year-old boss. 'But it also means so much for the future, because it motivates people, it motivates us, and it shows what we are capable of. 'There's even more in the group. The strength of this team has been to be in the present, and trying to become better every single day. And of course if you are part of Arsenal and win trophies, that's what builds bonds.'
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
‘Buzzing' Alessia Russo left wanting more by Arsenal's Champions League success
They are still the only English club to win the women's edition, having done it once before Saturday's 1-0 victory over Barcelona as part of an historic quadruple in 2007. The triumph also guarantees Arsenal a direct place in next season's Champions League league phase – alongside Women's Super League winners Chelsea – after becoming the first team in history to reach the final from qualifying round one. 'I'm absolutely buzzing,' said Russo, after substitute Stina Blackstenius' 74th-minute strike proved enough to inspire the underdogs to victory over a Barca side that had conquered Europe in 2021, 2023 and 2024. CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'I can't really put it into words, it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We didn't really want to say it too much, but we all kind of had this feeling. 'We knew we could and we just had to go and deliver.' The result means Arsenal will also represent Europe in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year, entering as automatic semi-finalists. And while it is the brilliant culmination of a hard-fought campaign – and seven-month journey under boss Renee Slegers – Russo also sees it as just a first step. 'I feel like that massively,' she said. 'When you win things, you want to win things even more, and also you know you're good enough to do it. 'I think it was important to win for many reasons, but now we want to win more. We want to go back and start next year strong. We want to compete domestically more so than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.' The returning champions will celebrate their title on Monday alongside 10,000 fans in Armoury Square outside the Emirates Stadium in London, where the trophy lift will take place at around 1140 in the morning. Celebrating together 🫶 Details of Monday's Armoury Square trophy lift are confirmed 📋 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 It is a quick turnaround ahead of the next international window, beginning for Russo and England with Friday's Nations League meeting with Portugal at Wembley. Arsenal's victory is a testament to resilience and risk. Forward Chloe Kelly revealed after the triumph that she had nearly taken a break from football after finding herself in 'a dark place' at Manchester City before joining the Gunners on loan in January. And two days before teeing up Blackstenius' winner in the final, England forward and second-half substitute Beth Mead, writing for the Players' Tribune, penned a heartfelt tribute to her mother, June, who died from ovarian cancer in 2023. Then there is the rise of former assistant Slegers, who was appointed as the permanent head coach in January after serving on an interim basis since October, no doubt beating out more proven candidates for one of the most coveted jobs in women's football. 'It means so much, for everyone who has built towards this across many years,' said the 36-year-old boss. 'But it also means so much for the future, because it motivates people, it motivates us, and it shows what we are capable of. 'There's even more in the group. The strength of this team has been to be in the present, and trying to become better every single day. And of course if you are part of Arsenal and win trophies, that's what builds bonds.'
Rhyl Journal
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
‘Buzzing' Alessia Russo left wanting more by Arsenal's Champions League success
They are still the only English club to win the women's edition, having done it once before Saturday's 1-0 victory over Barcelona as part of an historic quadruple in 2007. The triumph also guarantees Arsenal a direct place in next season's Champions League league phase – alongside Women's Super League winners Chelsea – after becoming the first team in history to reach the final from qualifying round one. 'I'm absolutely buzzing,' said Russo, after substitute Stina Blackstenius' 74th-minute strike proved enough to inspire the underdogs to victory over a Barca side that had conquered Europe in 2021, 2023 and 2024. CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. THE ONLY IN THE LAND ❤️ — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 'I can't really put it into words, it just feels bloody amazing. It feels surreal right now, but I just had so much belief going into this game. We all did. We didn't really want to say it too much, but we all kind of had this feeling. 'We knew we could and we just had to go and deliver.' The result means Arsenal will also represent Europe in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup next year, entering as automatic semi-finalists. And while it is the brilliant culmination of a hard-fought campaign – and seven-month journey under boss Renee Slegers – Russo also sees it as just a first step. 'I feel like that massively,' she said. 'When you win things, you want to win things even more, and also you know you're good enough to do it. 'I think it was important to win for many reasons, but now we want to win more. We want to go back and start next year strong. We want to compete domestically more so than we did this year, and we want to be back winning this trophy again.' The returning champions will celebrate their title on Monday alongside 10,000 fans in Armoury Square outside the Emirates Stadium in London, where the trophy lift will take place at around 1140 in the morning. Celebrating together 🫶 Details of Monday's Armoury Square trophy lift are confirmed 📋 — Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 24, 2025 It is a quick turnaround ahead of the next international window, beginning for Russo and England with Friday's Nations League meeting with Portugal at Wembley. Arsenal's victory is a testament to resilience and risk. Forward Chloe Kelly revealed after the triumph that she had nearly taken a break from football after finding herself in 'a dark place' at Manchester City before joining the Gunners on loan in January. And two days before teeing up Blackstenius' winner in the final, England forward and second-half substitute Beth Mead, writing for the Players' Tribune, penned a heartfelt tribute to her mother, June, who died from ovarian cancer in 2023. Then there is the rise of former assistant Slegers, who was appointed as the permanent head coach in January after serving on an interim basis since October, no doubt beating out more proven candidates for one of the most coveted jobs in women's football. 'It means so much, for everyone who has built towards this across many years,' said the 36-year-old boss. 'But it also means so much for the future, because it motivates people, it motivates us, and it shows what we are capable of. 'There's even more in the group. The strength of this team has been to be in the present, and trying to become better every single day. And of course if you are part of Arsenal and win trophies, that's what builds bonds.'
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
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 🏆🏆 — 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 — 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 🏆 — 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
24-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
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 🏆🏆 — 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 — 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 🏆 — 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.'
