Arsenal Still Have A Chance Of Silverware – It’s Just Not What You Think

It has been another season of disappointment for Arsenal. Challenging for the title under the management of Mikael Arteta but eventually falling off in the most decisive and final period. This year was arguably Arsenal’s best chance, with Manchester City struggling and Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool. But once again in North London, this season has ended up with a second-place finish.

On the other hand, the Gunners came close this year in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the competition’s semi-finals and in touching distance of a European final. However, a young and exciting PSG side was too much for Arsenal, with the England club losing in both legs. To make matters worse, their arch-rivals, down the road in North London, Tottenham Hotspur have broken their lengthy wait for a trophy, winning the UEFA Europa League.

Nevertheless, all is not lost in North London as there is one last piece of silverware that the club can win. Arsenal Women’s have made a remarkable run in the 2024/25 Women’s Champions League, reaching the final for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2007.

But how did they get there, and can Arsenal win a trophy this season?

Road To The Final

Beginning their campaign, Arsenal had to enter the competition in its qualifying rounds, following a poor and early exit in the previous season. The Gunners were drawn to face BK Hacken, losing 1-0 in the initial leg before progressing with a dominant victory at Meadow Park, beating their opposition 4-0 to advance with a 4-1 aggregate score.

Now officially in the competition, Arsenal were drawn into the Champions League’s ‘group of death’, facing elite opponents such as Juventus and Bayern Munich. However, despite a devastating 5-2 defeat against Munich, the London club went on to top their group, with 15 points, knocking Juventus out of the competition.

THEY'VE DONE IT! 🤩🤩

Arsenal reach the Women's Champions League Semi-Finals, overcoming a 2-0 1st leg deficit to win 3-0 in the 2nd leg over Real Madrid 💥

Incredible comeback! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/faCVaV5UhO

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 26, 2025

Next up was the quarter-finals and Arsenal’s route to the final did not get any easier. This time drawn against Spanish giants Real Madrid, the Gunners looked as good as out, following the opening leg – losing 2-0 in Spain against Madrid. But at home, the English team were a fantastic side, overcoming the initial deficit and winning 3-0, thanks to a brace from Alessia Russo, at the Emirates Stadium.

One game away from the final and in excellent form, Olympique Lyonnais stood in the way for Arsenal. Lyon, a team with a phenomenal history in the competition, began the tie in strong form, beating Arsenal 2-1. Similarly to the previous tie, the Gunners came back again in the second leg, this time producing a superb performance to win by the stunning scoreline of 4-1 and 5-3 on aggregate to reach their first Women’s Champions League final for 18 years.

Key Players

Sat in second place in the WSL, and in a Champions League final, Arsenal have several players of excellent quality on their roster. Players such as Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, and Manuela Zinsberger wear the red and white of Arsenal. However, their two outstanding players are Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo.

🔴 Mariona Caldentey = on fire 🔥

7 goals in her last 10 #UWCL appearances for Arsenal 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/bbGN6fKbEc

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 26, 2025

Caldentey, a midfield, is an engine in the middle for Arsenal – producing a creative spark and threat going forward. With 19 goals scored in all competitions, Caldentey was voted as both Arsenal Women’s Player of the Season and the Barclays WSL Player of the Season. The Spaniard has been a key cog in the Gunners machine since joining in the summer, and now, when facing her former club in Barcelona in the Champions League final, the midfielder will be pivotal.

On the other hand, Russio is a clinical striker who has been crucial for Arsenal in attack. An England international, Russio has scored 20 goals in all competitions this season, with 12 coming in the WSL and eight in the Champions League. A constant goal threat, Russio has already claimed a number of awards for herself in 2025, winning the FWA Footballer of the Year and WSL Attacker of the Year while also sharing the WSL Golden Boot.

The Final Showdown

As they look towards the final, Arsenal face the impossible task of overthrowing the inevitable force that is Barcelona. Last year’s Women’s Champions League winners and the leaders of Liga F in Spain, the Catalonia club have been phenomenal in recent years.

With 10 wins in a row and a dominant aggregate score of 8-2 over Chelsea in the semi-finals, Barcelona will come into the clash with Arsenal as the favourites. Led by Ewa Pajor in attack, the Polish striker has been in historic form this season, scoring 43 goals and assisting 12 in 44 appearances in all competitions. Alongside Pajor is the shining young talent of Salma Paralluelo on the wing – a 21-year-old trickster, who many of Arsenal’s squad will be familiar with after their clashes with the Spanish national team.

𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 Barcelona’s men’s and women’s teams lifted the league trophy last weekend.

𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 🇪🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/n5a2xZhK9e

— 433 (@433) May 20, 2025

Next is their midfield, and that is where Barcelona become so powerful. Alexia Putellas, Patricia Guijarro, and Aitana Bonmati. A stupendous midfield trio that can do anything from goals to gritty defensive work – the Spaniard’s goal total combines to reach 35 goals scored by the Spanish club’s midfield. Barcelona’s unbelievable team is finished off at the back with the talented Fridolina Rolfo and Irene Parades.

As the winners of the competition last year, Barcelona have carried on their form since, looking unbeatable at times in the Champions League. Due to this, Arsenal will have to be at the top of their game and produce their best performance of the season. They cannot afford to go down to an early lead and must stop the attacking threat boasted by Barcelona.

Therefore, the wait and hunt for a trophy for Arsenal this season is not just over. However, to be able to win one, they are going to need a performance similar to those of the legendary invincibles of the past.