Arsenal win ‘ultimate trophy’ with ‘more to come’

The “best moment” of her career is, according to Arsenal captain Kim Little, while Renee Slegers, the club’s manager, thinks this is just the beginning.

The only goal was scored in the Lisbon final as Arsenal defeated reigning champions Barcelona 1-0.

The only English women’s side that won the title in 2007 is now champions of Europe, adding to that success.

Little remarked, “This felt like our year.” “It’s truly special to win the most trophies.”

It’s undoubtedly my career’s best experience. To still be at the club and see how much the women’s game has advanced since I signed a year after they won in 2007, is very special.

The Gunners’ first qualifying round in September, when they began the competition, could not have anticipated winning this trophy.

Their 15th rollercoaster campaign came to an end in the final.

Jonas Eidevall’s final European game came in the humiliating 5-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in October, with Slegers moving up from assistant coach first as interim manager before being hired on a full-time basis in January.

She said, “It’s been a fantastic time.” We’ve gone through so many difficult times together and there are so many things that have happened. Our collective resistance has always been growing, with more people believing.

In the midst of the celebrations on the pitch, Little and England captain Leah Williamson lifted the trophy together, one after the other.

It was a special moment at the club she has always supported, for Williamson, who held the Women’s Euros trophy aloft three years ago after England defeated Germany 2-1 at Wembley.

Williamson, a 10-year-old, was one of the mascots for the second leg of Arsenal’s title match against Swedish side Umea in 2007.

The now-28-year-old said, “Eighteen years is a long time to wait for something.” I’ve already won every domestic trophy with Arsenal, which makes me proud of it personally.

We arrived to make a job, and we did it, and we are now bringing home the trophy. I broke the scoreboard three times, and I have a rule prohibiting peer review.

Arsenal was heavily under pressure for a large portion of the final thanks to Barcelona, who have won the competition twice in the previous two seasons.

The 67th minute introduction of Beth Mead and Blackstenius, however, proved crucial as the England forward set up the Swede for the winning goal.

An emotional Mead, who celebrated with her family, cried out, “There were lots of happy tears.” I’m pleased that we did it and that we ended up with my dad.

Jen Beattie, a former Arsenal defender, said: “Arsenal entered this as a complete underdog.” You’re referring to a team that has won the last two Champions Leagues, stormed to the final, and had incredible overall results against Chelsea and Bayern Munich, who both had incredible overall results this year.

You are cementing your place in history by winning the Champions League. They will erupt into legend.

Izzy Christiansen, a former England international, said, “I honestly couldn’t be happier for Arsenal. This is a remarkable accomplishment.

“To execute the gameplan to the highest level of measurement against the European champions.” Both the quality and the processes were present. They created Barcelona, which was impossible to imagine, and they destroyed it.

Arsenal fought like real warriors, and this is the most incredible tale. Every bit of this is due to them. Nobody will accept the effects that will be made.

Karen Carney, a member of the 2007 champion Arsenal side, hoped the Gunners’ most recent success would inspire younger generations.

She said, “Possibly this group has convinced the next little girl that she can enter and compete in the Champions League.”

On Monday, an event at Armoury Square will commemorate Arsenal’s victory.

Ian Wright, a former Arsenal striker, claimed the feat had “saved the club” from the men’s side’s embarrassment in 2024-2005.

We need something to celebrate, he continued. They must of course have a parade, too.

No one gave them a chance, they said. Even I predicted a difficult situation.

“They]Barcelona] score four goals per game,” they say.

In the end, there was only one goal, but we had to score more to ensure we could beat them. Everyone disapproved of them. They merit every accolade and every accolade they receive.