Arsenal 2-0 Bayern Munich Women

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Maanum reflects on 'amazing' UWCL win

We are officially UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finalists after a glorious 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. 

Speaking after the final whistle, Frida Maanum reflected on the tremendous achievement from our Gunners.

“Obviously, it was a big goal for us as a group,” she said. “‘Now that we’ve finally made it, it's just really, really nice.”

Our Norwegian midfielder’s exquisite strike into the top-left corner lit the fuse on a magical evening at Emirates Stadium, but she still has some lingering disbelief.

“I didn't really believe it had gone in - I thought it went over actually! But the feeling was amazing.”

Following an uneven February, our Gunners are enjoying a March for the ages - lifting the Conti Cup, revitalising our Women’s Super League title hopes and now, booking a place in the Champions League semi-final.

For Maanum, playing in this team has become second nature.

"It’s quite easy because we have the relationships. We know each other quite well and you see out there, we know where we are all the time on the pitch.

“That shows in the first goal as well how we played before the goal came. I think it's fun to watch."

Kim Little hobbling off the pitch after only 10 minutes was the stuff of nightmares for any supporter, especially in the wake of Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema’s season-ending injuries.

Rather than crumble under the loss of our captain, our Gunners put on a staggering performance - characterised by unity and belief.

"Kim is so important for us and we knew when she went off, we all had to take responsibility and I think we did that straightaway. Lotte came in straightaway and yeah, we just tried to build on how we started the game."

Now, it’s back to London Colney and back to the WSL with a huge match-up against current league-leaders Manchester City on the horizon.

“We keep this feeling tonight but then tomorrow, we go again,” said Maanum. “We train and then we focus on City.”

News

How social reacted to our win over Bayern Munich

Manu Zinsberger and Lia Walti celebrate at full-time

A wet Wednesday night in North London provided the perfect conditions for a magnificent UEFA Women’s Champions League turnaround against Bayern Munich, securing our spot in the semi-finals.

Let’s look at some reactions from Twitter as the night unfolded.

On paper, this wasn’t an easy fixture. Fighting for our place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a decade whilst facing a 1-0 deficit from our away visit to Allianz Arena a week prior, our Gunners had a mountain to climb on Wednesday evening.

From the outset, we chose tenacity and composure, with Frida Manuum securing her place on the scoresheet with a beautiful strike into the top corner after just under 20 minutes of play.

With skipper Kim Little fouled and forced to retire to the sidelines early in the first-half, Leah Williamson stepped up to lead the team to victory on Little’s behalf.

A lovely backheel pass from Williamson for Manuum to convert seemed to be the icing on the cake for the birthday girl.

After levelling the tie on aggregate, it became increasingly apparent there was no stopping our Gunners as they pressed forward with Stina Blackstenius grabbing that crucial second goal via a perfectly placed header on the end of Katie McCabe’s cross.

Despite Bayern upping the ante in the later stages of the game, we remained composed and finished the job after 7 minutes of added time.

Leah Williamson and Stina Blackstenius shared a celebratory hug at full time.

Overall, a night to remember for over 20,000 Gooners at Emirates Stadium.

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