Live Blog: Wolfsburg Frauen v Arsenal Women- Arsenal come from 2-0 down to equalise!

Freddie Cardy is at the Volkswagen Arena with live updates of Arsenal Women's first Champions League semi final in ten years.



Live Blog: Wolfsburg Frauen v Arsenal Women- Arsenal come from 2-0 down to equalise!

The Volkswagen Arena an hour before kick-off. Credit- @cardyfreddie


Live BLog Sunday Apr 23rd

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:23 #1604

    FULL TIME: Wolfsburg 2-2 Arsenal. This Arsenal team are the comeback queens, that was a special effort from the Gunners and it's all to play for at the Emirates.

  2. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:18 #1603

    Oberdorf and McCabe are booked. 2-2

  3. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:18 #1602

    90+1 It's kicking off. Oberdorf wipes out an Arsenal player from behind and Katie McCabe throws her to the floor! 2-2

  4. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:17 #1601

    4 minutes added on. 2-2

  5. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:16 #1600

    Kathrine Kuhl is on for Victoria Pelova, who tries to make the long walk back across the pitch but is denied doing so! 2-2

  6. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:14 #1599

    87' A searching pass almost finds Wassmuth, who looked to be offside. Who would have thought when Jonsdottir slammed home Wolfsburg's second that Arsenal would have been in this position with a few minutes remaining of the first leg? 2-2

  7. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:11 #1598

    84' Good pack post run by Jonsdottir but the cross just evades her and is behind for a goal kick. Squeaky bum time for the travelling Arsenal fans now. 2-2

  8. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:09 #1597

    81' Wolfsburg are mere inches from going 3-2 up! Hearts were in mouths as Frohms teed up Jill Roord, who's shot curled wide of the far post, going through the legs of Rafaelle. 2-2

  9. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:06 #1596

    79' Katie McCabe receives treatment after Willms clears the ball straight into her face. No doubt that she will continue. 2-2

  10. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:05 #1595

    79' The first signs of Arsenal running down the clock as the referee urges Wienroither to get on with her throw in. 2-2

  11. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:03 #1594

    76' Down the other end McCabe finds space once again, setting up Maanum who heads behind. 2-2

  12. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:02 #1593

    76' Wassmuth's header into the box is blocked by Rafaelle. Shouts for handball are waved away. 2-2

  13. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 16:00 #1592

    Attendance at the Volkswagen Arena is 22,617. Prepare for this to be doubled, and more, at the Emirates. 2-2

  14. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:59 #1591

    73' Huth's long range effort is scuffed into the hands of Zinsberger. 2-2

  15. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:58 #1590

    71' 19 minutes left plus added time. This Arsenal team just never know when they are beaten, sensational. 2-2

  16. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:57 #1589

    2-2!

  17. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:57 #1588

    Another swift attacking move from the Gunners, Pelova's low cross is perfect and it's the easiest goal Blackstenius will ever score! 2-1

  18. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:56 #1587

    70' STINA BLACKSTENIUS HAS EQUALISED FOR ARSENAL! 2-2

  19. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:54 #1586

    67' Sloppy from Wubben-Moy and Jonsdottir's cross is volleyed over by Wassmuth on her left foot. 2-1

  20. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:50 #1585

    63' Arsenal's corner comes to nothing. Wolfsburg introduce Tabea Wassuth from the bench, who scored their opener in the first leg of last season's quarter final against the Gunners. Brand is the player withdrawn. 2-1

  21. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:48 #1584

    61' A erm- tactical timeout injury for Manu Zinsberger- let's hope Emma Hayes isn't watching. 2-1

  22. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:46 #1583

    60' Great run by Katie McCabe who cuts inside but her cross can't pick out Stina Blackstenius. Arsenal looking a threat on the counter- Maritz's low cross is then blocked. 2-1

  23. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:44 #1582

    58' Maanum bursts past her marker and would have been through on goal but referee Kateryna Monzul blows for a foul. 2-1

  24. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:43 #1581

    57' Blackstenius makes a run down the right but nothing comes of it- looked like she would have been offside anyway. 2-1

  25. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:41 #1580

    55' Brand breaks free into the box but squares the ball straight to Arsenal's Frida Maanum to the groans of the Wolfsburg faithful. 2-1

  26. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:39 #1579

    53' Cheers from the Arsenal fans as Catley intercepts Jonsdottir's raking pass to Rauch before Beattie clears. 2-1

  27. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:36 #1578

    50' Walti dragged down on the edge of the box. 2-1

  28. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:35 #1577

    48' Good spell from the Gunners- Catley's corner is dealt with before Beattie's header goes wide. 2-1

  29. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:33 #1576

    47' Poor defending by Arsenal to start the second half but nothing comes of the Wolfsburg attack. 2-1

  30. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:32 #1575

    Back underway in the second half! 2-1

  31. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:31 #1574

    Wolfsburg are back out first to a brief burst of Enter Sandman by Metallica, before Arsenal follow. Noelle Maritz on the right hand side will have the Arsenal fans in earshot.

  32. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:29 #1573

    Arsenal fans would have feared the worst when Jonsdottir doubled Wolfsburg's lead, and the Gunners were outclassed in that first half. Can they at least bring a 2-1 defeat back to the Emirates, where almost 50,000 will roar them on in the second leg? The second half is just around the corner.

  33. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:20 #1572

    Half time: After an even start Ewa Pajor gave Wolfsburg the lead before Rafaelle's error put the ball on a plate for Jonsdottir, who had the simplest of tasks to make it 2-0 to the home side. Somehow, Arsenal kept the hosts at bay and had their goal on the stroke of half time, when Rafaelle's header gave them a lifeline in the tie.

  34. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:17 #1571

    45+1' Jonsdottir fires her shot over the bar and that is half time. Wolfsburg 2-1 Arsenal.

  35. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:16 #1570

    45' ARSENAL HAVE A LIFELINE! Catley's corner is powered home by Rafaelle and the Gunners halve their deficit on the stroke of half time. Great header that might just make up for her mistake earlier. 2-1

  36. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:14 #1569

    44' Best move of the first half from Arsenal- Maanum finds some space but it's a narrow angle. Her fearsome shot is driven straight at Frohms and behind for a corner. 2-0

  37. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:13 #1568

    42' Again Blackstenius is in behind and takes the ball past the goalkeeper but she just over-runs it out of play. 2-0

  38. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:11 #1567

    41' Late challenge on McCabe by Oberdorf after Jen Beattie heads clear. 2-0

  39. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:08 #1566

    38' Blackstenius cuts inside on the left but is denied by a combination of Huth and Hendrich. 2-0

  40. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:05 #1565

    35' Brand's cross is gathered by Zinsberger. 2-0

  41. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:03 #1564

    32' The switch to a back three worked to Arsenal's favour on Wednesday night but Wolfsburg are exploiting the gaps really well- Arsenal's defence is at sixes and sevens and needs someone to take charge. Good defending from Maritz to deny Jonsdottir. 2-0

  42. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:00 #1563

    30' McCabe can't get a shot away from the corner but Beattie can, her effort is blocked. 2-0

  43. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 15:00 #1562

    30' It's a good delivery and Lena Oberdorf heads it behind for a corner, to spark some loud chanting from the travelling Arsenal fans. 2-0

  44. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:59 #1561

    28' Arsenal have to keep their wits about them now. They started the game well but those two goals in five minutes have given them a huge mountain to climb. A free kick for them now on the left hand side. 2-0

  45. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:57 #1560

    27' Jonsdottir heads over the bar from close range. This could get messy if Arsenal aren't careful. 2-0

  46. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:56 #1559

    26' What are Arsenal doing!? Rafaelle plays the ball straight back into the middle of the box and Jonsdottir has a tap in to double Wolfsburg's lead. 2-0

  47. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:54 #1558

    Goal! Wolfsburg 2-0 Arsenal! Calamity for the Gunners

  48. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:54 #1557

    24' Pajor goes one way and the other up against her marker but drags the shot wide. 1-0

  49. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:52 #1556

    22' Heatbreak for the Gunners who had just started to push a few more players forward after a tidy start to the game, but they've been punished by this season's UWCL top scorer Ewa Pajor, who had nerves of steel. 1-0

  50. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:50 #1555

    Ewa Pajor drives through the Arsenal defence to give Wolfsburg the lead and the crowd erupts at the Volkswagen Arena.

  51. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:49 #1554

    19' GOAL! Wolfsburg 1-0 Arsenal

  52. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:47 #1553

    17' Deep cross from Jonsdottir is over the head of Pajor, who can be a real threat in the air. 0-0

  53. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:45 #1552

    15' Arsenal clear their lines after Jonsdottir's long throw in was headed away. 0-0

  54. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:43 #1551

    13' Maanum plays through Blackstenius who is a long way offside. There is a delay in the flag going up as VAR is in operation. 0-0

  55. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:42 #1550

    12' Rafaelle works the ball wide to Catley but her cross is too close to Frohms. 0-0

  56. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:40 #1549

    10' McCabe fouls former Gunner Jill Roord, who left the club two years ago to join Wolfsburg, but her contract is up in the summer and many top clubs are interested in the Dutch midfielder.

  57. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:38 #1548

    7' Lia Walti is down but will be ok to continue as both teams check-in with their managers during the stoppage. Relatively composed start by Arsenal, which Jonas Eidevall will be pleased with. 0-0

  58. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:34 #1547

    4' Zinsberger has to be quick off her line to gather after Jonsdottir made a good run in behind Wubben-Moy. 0-0

  59. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:31 #1546

    Arsenal kicking from left to right in their red and white. Wolfsburg in lime green.

  60. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:30 #1545

    UNDERWAY!

  61. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:28 #1544

    The teams are out, we've heard the UWCl anthem and kick off is moments away!

  62. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:25 #1543

    There is now the sound of a Wolf howling being played out of the speakers...

  63. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:24 #1542

    There is some atmosphere here this afternoon though. The tannoy may have butchered most of the Arsenal names but the crowd are bellowing out their support for the Wolfsburg squad as we prepare for kick off.

  64. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:22 #1541

    At least 20,000 are in attendance at the Volkswagen Arena before a minimum of 46,000 watch the second leg at the Emirates on May 1st. Arsenal simply have to give themselves something to play for in that second leg.

  65. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:21 #1540

    Make that Newcastle 5-0 Spurs after 21 minutes. Can you watch Match of the Day 2 in Germany?

  66. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:14 #1539

    15 minutes until Arsenal's first Champions League since 2013! Their opponents then? Wolfsburg- it didn't go Arsenal's way then, and the Gunners have a huge task on their hands here today.

  67. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:12 #1538

    16 year old Laila Harbert was called up into Arsenal's Champions League squad, and she's on the bench today.

  68. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:10 #1537

    In other news, Spurs men are 3-0 down to Newcastle in the FA Cup semi final. Just thought I'd let you all know...

  69. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:08 #1536

    Make sure to follow me on twitter @cardyfreddie for plenty of pictures and video footage from the Volkswagen Arena as both sides warm up. We've got the thoughts of Jonas Eidevall and Jen Beattie elsewhere on the Gooner Fanzine website too ahead of this one.

  70. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 14:06 #1535

    The weather forecast looked gloomy this morning but it's a beautiful day here in Lower Saxony. The sun is shining and Arsenal fans were enjoying themselves earlier today as they got together at Sausolitos Bar in the city centre!

  71. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:54 #1534

    It's a Wolfsburg side stacked with quality- they may be without the talismanic Alex Popp, current Frauen Bundesliga top scorer this season, due to injury, but Tommy Stroot's side can hurt Arsenal in many different ways. It's no wonder that Jonas Eidevall labelled their attack as one of the best in Europe yesterday.

  72. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:49 #1533

    As expected Jonas Eidevall has gone with a back 5, with Wubben-Moy and Rafaelle either side of Jen Beattie.

  73. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:46 #1532

    Arsenal: Zinsberger, Rafaelle, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Catley, Maanum, Walti, McCabe, Maritz, Pelova, Blackstenius.

  74. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:45 #1531

    Wolfsburg: Frohms (GK), Wilms, Hendrich, Oberdorf, Janssen, Pajor, Huth (C), Rauch, Roord, Jonsdottir, Brand.

  75. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:43 #1530

    The team news is in...

  76. Freddie Cardy at the Volkswagen Arena: 13:40 #1529

    Hello and welcome to the Volkswagen Arena for the first leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi final between Wolfsburg and Arsenal!


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