How Arsenal Are Building Something 'special' In Europe

Slegers described an "unbelievable performance" successful nan 2nd limb because of nan fightback Arsenal knew Chelsea would give.

Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar returned to nan starting XI and put successful a stunning performance, denying Sam Kerr connected respective occasions successful nan 2nd half.

England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy was a stone astatine nan backmost successful nan absence of Leah Williamson and Arsenal were not shaken erstwhile chap centre-half Steph Catley went disconnected pinch a calf wounded astatine nan extremity of nan first half.

In-form striker Alessia Russo was afloat of tricks and flicks. The England world usually keeps touches connected nan shot to a minimum but she did what it took to flight tricky situations erstwhile unit was building.

Slegers said her squad were prepared to "suffer" successful bid to get what they wanted and it paid disconnected successful nan end.

"It's suffering for thing you love. I deliberation that's what nan squad did really well. They were prepared for a difficult script and for momentum shifts," she added.

"In nan first 15 minutes, perchance astatine nan extremity of nan crippled erstwhile things changed again, they conscionable stayed successful nan 'controlled middle', arsenic we telephone it.

"They stayed successful nan crippled and were perpetually successful power of immoderate script aliases momentum swing. They did their job. Mentally we were successful control.

"Of course, we wanted to extremity them getting chances and successful an perfect world location are nary shots but it was 2 really bully teams going against each other."

Former England skipper Steph Houghton said Arsenal were "better successful large moments" and deserved to advancement connected nan equilibrium of nan tie.

Brighton guardant Fran Kirby added: "Arsenal allowed Chelsea to person nan ball, they were comfortable successful their artifact and defensively worked really hard.

"With nan opportunities that they had, they could moreover person gone connected and won nan game, truthful they will beryllium really proud of nan performance.

"It showed a different broadside to Arsenal. It showed what they tin do erstwhile they person to defend."

Arsenal will dream to book their spot successful nan last erstwhile they return connected nan victor betwixt Lyon and Wolfsburg - who play each different connected Thursday night.

The last takes spot connected 23 May successful Oslo, Norway.