The Gooner Fanzine’s Daisy Goodhand reflects on Arsenal Women’s comeback win over Real Madrid at Emirates Stadium.

Introduction:

“This game against Madrid can’t be an exception - Arsenal need fight, goals and a huge performance. It’s not over, anything is possible.”

Those were the words that concluded the piece I published on Substack just three days ago, where I asked the question as to whether Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Liverpool could be a catalyst for a stunning comeback against Madrid. The answer - yes.

Arsenal produced one of the greatest performances I have personally witnessed; a Champions League night etched in history already. Goals from Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey stepped up with the goals needed to set up a huge clash with Lyon in just over three weeks' time.

Player Performances - Russo the shining star:

In a game that demanded excellence from every player, Arsenal rose to the occasion. Renée Slegers opted for consistency, fielding the same starting XI that secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Liverpool at the weekend. Deploying Caldentey in a deeper role proved pivotal, as she expertly dictated the tempo from the outset.

The high-quality pitch at the Emirates allowed Arsenal to play their trademark high-intensity, free-flowing attacking football, leaving Madrid struggling to keep up. From the very start, Arsenal took control, pressing the away side and creating chances with almost every attack. 

Madrid tried to sit back and catch Arsenal on the break, but the defence, led by Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, and Daphne van Domselaar - stood tall and ensured they couldn’t find the net. The stats underline Arsenal’s dominance, with even more goals narrowly ruled out for offside.

Russo, back in her favoured role up front, delivered yet another standout performance. Arsenal struggled to capitalise in the first half, with Chloe Kelly whipping in perfectly placed crosses, but no one there to finish them off. 

However, the momentum was clearly on Arsenal’s side, and they came out firing in the second half. 

Russo was quick to capitalise, meeting a brilliant Kelly cross at the back post, firing it past Misa Rodríguez. Kelly struck again moments later, setting up a diving Caldentey header for Arsenal’s second. Slegers clearly identified the issue at half-time - Arsenal needed more players making runs into the box. From then on, they swarmed forward with intent, often sending two, three, or even four runners into the area to connect with crosses.

I’ve touched on how Kelly has improved Arsenal’s set pieces since her arrival, but it was an excellent delivery from Katie McCabe that set up the eventual winner - a player who herself put in a fantastic performance last night. Madrid’s defence lined up quite narrow, allowing three Arsenal players - Williamson, Catley, and Caitlin Foord - to outnumber them at the far post. Catley won the header and knocked it into Russo’s path, who fired home without hesitation. 

It was a relentless Arsenal side that knew exactly how to punish Madrid. Arsenal could (and perhaps should) have had more, with a controversial disallowed goal from Russo that would have sealed her Champions League hat-trick. But in the end, Arsenal won’t be bothered by that; they got the result they needed to progress to the later stages of the biggest competition in Europe.

Pressure - no problem.

From the moment the game ended in Madrid, with Arsenal trailing 2-0, there was never a sense of defeat. Arsenal were never going to give this up, their determination showed not just in discussions before the game, not just in the press, but on the pitch.

A dedicated block of Arsenal fans at the Emirates created one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever experienced in that stadium. From the moment the game kicked off - and even before - fans stood up, fully behind the team, and Arsenal responded with a performance that matched their energy.

It was not eleven individual players on that pitch last night, it was a team. It was the Arsenal.

Lyon will be a tough challenge for Arsenal, but this team is more than capable. On their day, Arsenal can deliver a performance that embodies everything the club stands for.

While this season may not have been standout, given the harsh reality that the WSL title is almost out of reach and both cups are behind us, there's still one trophy Arsenal can claim, and it’s clear their focus is firmly on that one.