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Writer's pictureConnor Booth

LIVE BLOG: Reaction to Wolfsburg's extra-time win against Arsenal in Women's Champions League.


  • Result: Arsenal (4) 2 - 3 (5) Wolfsburg (AET)

  • 60,063 people, record attendance for club game in England, watch Arsenal exit the Champions League to Wolfsburg for the second year running.

  • Blackstenius and Beattie cancel out Roord and Popp to send game to extra time.

  • Both sides waste glorious chances to win the game in second half of extra time before Bremer scored late winner for Wolfsburg (118').

  • Wolfsburg now face Barcelona at the PSV Stadion in the final on Saturday 3rd June.



Thank you for following our coverage tonight! It's been an absolutely crazy night in North London, but the end result is that Wolfsburg have made it through to the 2023 Champions League final, where they'll face Barcelona.


Arsenal's dream of the final may be over for this season but what a season they're having. They're still just about in the WSL title race, they've won the Conti Cup and they have reached their first Champions League semi-final in ten years. To top it all off, they've just played in front of the biggest crowd to ever watch a women's club game in England.




POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE


Yep, that was all in German! Whether he was asked about it or not, Tommy Stroot will be incredibly proud of his players tonight. Wolfsburg found themselves behind early and probably saw the end of the tie in site before Beattie's equaliser. They were on the back foot in extra time but kept the pressure on Arsenal to force the error and snatch a late winner.


His side are one point behind leaders Bayern in the Bundesliga, with a Champions League final against Barcelona in the Netherlands to come at the start of June.


21:20 - That's it for Jonas Eidevall. Tommy Stroot is coming up now but everyone is speaking German at the moment so we might not have much from this one...


21:16 - "Every game you can learn something. We can learn from today, win or lose. If we do learn, we have taken something from this."


21:14 - On the injury to Laura Weinroither "We don't have the medical update yet but she is on crutches."


"We must focus on the final WSL games. Our thoughts are already on the next game. Everyone needs to come together so we can have a strong finish in the league."


21:10 - On Wubbon-Moy's mistake - "I told her to keep her head high. We learn, (mistakes) are inevitable and it's part of the game. She was absolutely fantastic and has been overall recently. We are all here for each other."


"I think we collapsed too much (before the break) but we got much better control after half-time, it was important and when I try to see the game objectively I think we did OK."


21:05 - First thoughts from Jonas Eidevall after the game;


"With all the injuries we had, all the challenges we had to overcome, I'm incredibly proud of what we've done."


"That's sports. Sometimes it goes with you and sometimes it goes against you and it feels terrible."


"It was a game of such fine margins tonight and it was not on our side tonight. We're allowed to feel empty, but we're allowed to feel proud of our performance as well."


20:51 - We'll have live coverage of the press conferences coming up from the Emirates Stadium!





 


20:41 - Stay with us for the press conference, with both managers to face the media after Wolfsburg's dramatic semi-final victory.


20:36 - It's a painful one for the Gunners, with a last-gasp winner from Bremer denying them a place in their first Champions League final since 2007.


FULL-TIME! Wolfsburg snatched it with a 118th-minute winner from Pauline Bremer! The Arsenal fans sing their side out and Jonas Eidevall is straight over to an understandably distraught Lotte Wobben-Moy.


120+2' - Jill Roord is replaced by Bolmqvist. One minute to go and Wolfsburg have a free-kick that they're in no hurry to take.


120' - Three minutes of added time. Can Arsenal force penalties?


119' - IT'S SURELY A WINNER FOR WOLFSBURG. Wubbon- Moy tries to take a loose touch and the ball is rolled across to Bremer who can't miss the empty net. Jen Beattie is replaced by Agyemang before the restart.




116' - Steph Catley foes into the book for a cynical foul, no complaints from the Australian. A huge groan around the Emirates as the crowd are shown the replay of Katie McCabe coming inches away from a winner!


115' - CROSSBAR! McCabe puts the second ball back in but over-hits it. Frohms was beaten but it rattles the crossbar. How is this tie still level?


114' - Arsenal have a free-kick as Katie McCabe is fouled forcefully by Rauch who gets a yellow card. We'll five minutes left on the clock by the time this goes into the box.


113' - An even bigger chance for Wolfsburg! Bremer goes to meet a header and scuffs it into the ground. It falls kindly for Bremer but she drags it wide with the goal gaping! Wolfsburg have certainly had the chances across the tie to bury it.


111' - Chance wasted! Pelova is at the heart of it again for Arsenal as she plays in Maanum, but the Norweigan sends her shot high over the bar. Needed to take a touch.


109' - Zinsberger makes a comfortable catch from a left-wing cross and Jen Beattie is down. The intensity has dropped a little in this second period of extra time, can either side dig deep and find what would surely be a winner?


106' - Wolfsburg get the tie underway again! Marina Hegering has come on for Lynn Wilms who took a knock in the first period of extra time.




105' - A late challenge from Wassmuth gets her booked. Steph Catley was the recipient but she's back up almost straight away.


103' - Maanum is at it again with another great touch, this time leaving Brand behind. Her cross towards Hurtig is punted out for a throw.


101' - Tabea Wassmuth came on for Pajor after full-time, forgot to update with that one. Jonsdottir has just gone off as well with Jule Brand, who started the first leg, coming on.


100' - A few Arsenal fans thought Lotte Wubbon-Moy had restored their lead but the referee had already blown for a foul on Lynn Wilms. All Arsenal at the moment though!


98' - HUGE CHANCE! Frida Maanum breaks past Rauch with a beautiful turn and picks out Hurtig but her shot is parried brilliantly by Merle Frohms. What a save!


96' - Wolfsburg are starting to find their feet again, with Pelova and Zinsberger both making timely interceptions for the Gunners.


94' - Pelova makes a stunning switch pass to Catley which gets the crowd roaring. Beattie finds Maanum with a longer ball but Hendrich gets across to deal with the danger. Arsenal still look fresh after over 100 minutes of football tonight.


92' - Rauch takes a heavy touch and Kuhl is nearly in but can't get her feet sorted out. It's been a nervous start to extra time from the visitors.


91' - Frida Maanum gets the tie back underway for Arsenal. What a night already at Emirates Stadium!


90+7 - Extra time it is! Another thriller between these two fantastic sides and we'll have at least 30 more minutes!




90+6 - Another long throw coming in from Jonsdottir... Arsenal clear! Now the Gunners have throw.


90+5 - Wolfsburg take a long throw and win a corner. It's incredibly tense even after the ball is headed out for a goal-kick.


90+4 - Crucial intervention from Rafaelle to prevent Wolfsburg from breaking through. Just three minutes of added time to go.


90+1' - SEVEN minutes of added time! Don't go anywhere!


90' - Chance for Maanum! The corner is cleared to McCabe who lashed a shot back in. Maanum tries to divert it in but it's wide. Wolfsburg are now making a change as Huth departs for Pauline Bremer.


88' - Arsenal corner, everyone on their feet at the Emirates.


87' - Very tense at the Emirates now. Even as Arsenal win a free-kick there's a sort of hushed silence around the stadium, it feels very nervous.


85' - Beattie is down now for Arsenal. Not sure if that's a blow to their defence, attack or both at this stage, Beattie has been everywhere tonight! She's back on as soon as the game gets back underway.


81' - It's yet another injury for Arsenal. Laura Weinroither tried to walk off on her own but she couldn't manage it. The stretcher comes over to take her off and Arsenal will bring on Kathrine Kuhl in her place. Yet another blow for Jonas Eidevall's side.


80' - Just as Weinroither is getting some treatment the attendance is announced as 60,063! A record-breaking attendance for a club match in England!!


78' - CHECK COMPLETE! Arsenal level.




75' - KEEP HER UP TOP, JEN BEATTIE WITH A TOWERING HEADER!!!! There's a check though...


73' - WHAT. A. TACKLE. Lotte Wubben-Moy makes a stunning last-ditch tackle on Ewa Pajor with the Champions League's leading goalscorer through on goal. That was a real goal-saver for Arsenal, who seem to have thrown Jen Beattie up top with over 15 minutes to go!




70' - Huge chance for Popp! Wolfsburg should be out of site, Popp finds herself in acres of space in the Arsenal box after a slip from Rafaelle but fires wide. That's a better chance than either of the ones Wolfsburg have scored from. Manu Zinsberger has gone down in the 70th minute, something she's done a suspicious number of times this season at this point in the game.


68' - That double change shows the impact of Arsenal's injury problems. It's arguably the biggest game they've played since the 2022 FA Cup Final and they have to make a change of wing-back to get fresh legs on the pitch. They've also got Maanum, a central midfield player, up top in a front-three with Katie McCabe and Lina Hurtig.


66' - 25 minutes for Arsenal to overturn the deficit after this header from Alexandra Popp.



64' - Double change for Arsenal. Laura Wienroither will replace Noelle Maritz and Lina Hurtig makes her return from injury coming on for Arsenal's goalscorer Stina Blackstenius. The Gunners throwing everything they've got at Wolfsburg to try and level the tie.


62' - Maanum tries her luck from 25 yards. She catches her drive well but it's straight into the gloves of Frohms. Arsenal have responded well though, they've got the crowd behind them again!


59' - IT'S BEEN COMING! Popp reaches the corner at the front post and nods it in, too easy from an Arsenal point of view! The Germans are 30 minutes away from the final, 1 - 2!




58' - Arsenal are barely hanging on at the moment. Wolfsburg are pushing hard with three corners in a row.


56' - McCabe made a lovely shimmy through two Wolfsburg players and is quite clearly clipped but the referee isn't interested. The Arsenal fans are getting quite frustrated with Lina Lehtovaara.


54' - It's a scare for Arsenal as Zinsberger drops the header close to her goal but it's safely behind for a corner which ends up in her gloves more securely. Arsenal break the other way, Pelova pulling the strings again. This time Blackstenius takes a heavy touch though and it's behind for a goal-kick


52' - It's getting heated at the Emirates. Jen Beattie goes into the book for a soft challenge on Huth, who isn't exactly popular with the Arsenal crowd after her tackle on Katie McCabe a couple of minutes ago. Good position for Wolfsburg.


50' - Huth makes a crunching challenge on Katie McCabe and goes into the book. That's one booking each after Martiz's yellow in the first half.


48' - VAR are checking for offside again... This time the goal is chalked off! It was a lovely ball in from Pelova which Blackstenius swept beautifully into the net but it won't count. Let off for Wolfsburg!




47' - 2 - 1 ARSENAL WHAT A START!!! Blackstenius again for the Gunners!


46' - We are back underway at the Emirates with Arsenal attacking the North Bank!


18:47 - Without wanting to cause any nerves, this game cannot end level and so extra time and penalties will be played if necessary. The draw in the first leg means the aggregate score bares no real significance, it's alright about the remainder of this game at the Emirates!


18:44 - Jonas Eidevall will be pleased with the determination of his Arsenal players in that first half but Arsenal certainly need to step it up in the second half. Wolfsburg are dangerous with the ball and have created plenty of half-chances. If Tommy Stroot's side can just find that final ball they could take control of this tie. Is the lack of options on the bench going to deny Arsenal a place in the final?


HT - Or maybe not... Having allowed Arsenal to set up their routine, the referee then decides to blow for half-time. A few curious decisions in the first half, but it's all square at the break, Arsenal 1 - 1 Wolfsburg, 3 - 3 on aggregate!




45+5' - One last chance for Arsenal before the break as McCabe is fouled about 50 yards out. Everyone up apart from Walti.


45+3' - Wubben-Moy wins the header and it's Pajor of all people back there to deny the Arsenal centre-half! Not just a goal scorer. Wolfsburg break from the corner with Jonsdottir beating Walti. The Swiss midfielder doesn't get the free-kick she asks for but Zinsberger denies Jonsdottir at her near post.


45+1' - Rafaelle misses a long ball and Pajor is in, but Steph Catley gets back to make a phenomenal tackle. Arsenal spring forward and Blackstenius goes down. It's 20 seconds after the challenge that the referee awards Arsenal the free-kick?!


45' - Five added minutes still to go in this first half after the early VAR check and the treatment for McCabe.


44' - Manu to the rescue! Wolfsburg play a simple ball over the top to Pajor who is in, but Zinsberger comes flying out of her box and controls the ball beautifully off her thigh. Big game moment from the Arsenal goalkeeper!


42' - GOOAALL! Wolfsburg have equalised! It's former Arsenal midfielder Jill Roord who equalised. The ball drops to her on the edge of the penalty area after an initial clearing header and places a half-volley beautifully into the bottom corner. All square at the Emirates!



41' - Zinsberger comes off her line to catch a good cross from the right. Every time Arsenal deal with an attack the crowd are cheering as if they've scored, it's a fantastic atmosphere. Shortly after that Noelle Martiz has a loose touch and clatters into Huth. She gets the first yellow card of the game for her troubles.


39' - Wolfsburg are trying to find a way to unlock Arsenal at the moment. Wubben-Moy has just made a fantastic tackle to stop another attack. The Gunners have been in control so far but 1 - 0 is never a safe lead.




37' - First corner for Wolfsburg. It reaches Jonsdottir at the back post but she can only head it out for a goal-kick. Jonsdottir has been the biggest threat for the visitors so far.


35' - Wolfsburg work their best move of the game so far as Pop feeds Huth on the left. The cross is pinpoint accurate to Jonsdottir but Rafaelle is in the way to block it. Arsenal have been far more convincing defensively than they were in Germany a week ago.


34' - Arsenal win the ball from a high press. Blackstenius threads the ball through to Katie McCabe whose cross is cleared behind for Arsenal's third corner of the game.


32' - Wolfsburg work a nice move on the left hand side with Rauch floating a dangerous ball across the penalty area towards Pajor, who heads over. It's getting better from the German side.


29' - Big Save! Wolfsburg lose possession trying to counter after the corner and Stina Blackstenius finds herself in space. She gets the shot away with her left foot but is denied well by Frohms. Best chance since the opening goal!


28' - Katie McCabe wins Arsenal a corner after an excellent run from her own half. She's clearly OK after her knock. Victoria Pelova is getting booed by the Wolfsburg fans as she goes over to them to take the first corner of the game. It's cleared at the front post for another one.


27' - There's a small break in play as Katie McCabe receives some treatment for Arsenal. Both managers pull their players over for a time-out of sorts. Jonas Eidevall will be absolutely delighted so far.


24' - Chance for Wolfsburg! Rafaelle's header goes straight up in the air and drops nicely for Jill Roord. The former Arsenal midfielder gets to it first but scuffs her volley wide.


23' - Wolfsburg are continuing to play in and around the Arsenal penalty area but aren't creating anything clear-cut. Every time an Arsenal player gets a block in or wins possession back there's a roar from the Emirates crowd, the atmosphere is amazing!


18:05 - The roar was incredible! The biggest crowd to ever witness an Arsenal women goal!



19' - Wolfsburg go straight down the other end and put a couple of dangerous crosses into the box which need Zinsberger to come and punch them away. The pressure comes to an end with Noelle Martiz clipped on the edge of her own penalty area. Comfortable work for the Arsenal defenders but it's much better from Wolfsburg.


18' - Victoria Pelova makes a lovely run into the penalty for the Gunners. She miscontrols her touch but a deflection takes it to Noelle Martiz. The right back lines up the shot on her left foot but sends it well over the bar.


17' - Tommy Stroot has taken his jacket off on the touchline. He needs a response from his Wolfsburg side who are struggling to match Arsenal's energy!


14' - Arsenal are up for it now! McCabe is picked out brilliantly by Pelova and charges at the Wolfsburg backline. She's seen off by Kathrin Hendrich but the intensity from the home side is fantastic.


12' - Blackstenius latched onto a loose Wolfsburg pass and the German side had a complete breakdown in communication at the back allowing Blackstenius through. Frohms comes out and fumbles the shot, presenting the ball to the Sweden striker to roll home her second goal of the tie. 1 - 0 to the Arsenal!






11' - GOOOAAAALLL!!!!! IT'S A HOWLER FROM FROHMS AND BLACKSTENIUS SCORES FOR ARSENAL!!!!! There is a check though...


8' - The first Arsenal move of the game sees Victoria Pelova pick out a delicate through ball for Blackstenius but the Sweden striker can't quite get there ahead of Merle Frohms in the Wolfsburg goal.


7' - Wolfsburg look very well drilled at the start of this game. They've moved the ball around at a great pace and aren't giving Arsenal a second when they do concede possession.


5' - Jonsdottir seemed to block Wubben-Moy and push her into the ball but the eventual decision is... offside? A confusing moment at the start of the tie, but one of the Arsenal technical staff was straight out of his seat to get the crowd into the game. Frantic start at the Emirates!


3' - There's an early penalty check here. Wubben-Moy headed a clearance onto her arm but didn't have much space to move. It'd be harsh if the decision went against the England defender here.


2' - Arsenal have employed the same back-five shape they had in Germany a week ago. Wolfsburg have had the early possession but haven't created anything as of yet.


17:45 - Wolfsburg get the game under-way! One of these teams is a game away from the 2023 Champions League final!


17:40 - North London Forever is belted out by the crowd and the teams are out to a huge roar from the Arsenal crowd. It's already a brilliant atmosphere, we're in for a special night of Champions League football!


17:35 - Katie McCabe got an extra loud cheer when the line-ups were announced on the big screen. Can she captain Arsenal to a famous win at the Emirates tonight?



17:25 The SOLD OUT Emirates Stadium is starting to fill up nicely with kick-off just 20 minutes away. There's also an impressive number of Wolfsburg fans who seemed to have made the trip from Germany. It's worth remembering there's just as much at stake for the visitors, who last won this competition in 2014.




17:20 - Someone's water bottle has gone for a roll next to me. Must have made it 15 rows down before someone managed to stop it.


17:18 - Arsenal haven't been to a Champions League final for 16 years, but a win tonight could change all of that! Jonas Eidevall's side have been desperately unlucky with injuries this year, but have been able to dig deep and come up with some huge results in Europe this season. Can they continue their fine run of form and set up a mouthwatering final with Barcelona?


17:13 - Be sure to follow our social media coverage for this evening's semi-final! Just click on the Tweet below to go straight to The Woodwork account on Twitter.





17:06 - Wolfsburg have made one change from their first-leg draw last Sunday as Alexandra Popp has come in for Jule Brand;




17:00 - Good Evening and welcome to The Woodwork's live coverage of Arsenal vs Wolfsburg in the 2nd leg of the UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final!


The first leg ended in a 2 - 2 draw, with Jonas Eidevall's side coming from 2 - 0 down. Katie McCabe captains Arsenal once again, with captain Kim Little and vice-captain Leah Williamson both out for the remainder of the season alongside forwards Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.


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