Arsenal Women’s team captain Kim Little is poised to make her mark in European football as she prepares to play in her first Women’s Champions League final. Save the date for May 24th! Arsenal will face FC Barcelona in Lisbon, the defending champions who recently demolished Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate to advance to the final. Little, a veteran of the sport with an impressive 18-year career, has dedicated her time to Arsenal, becoming one of the club’s most respected players.
Little’s time with Arsenal has been defined, as she always is, by strength of character and excellence. Throughout the seasons, she has always been one of the leading players and even was a contributing factor in her teams’ successes. Plenty of experience for her, on Wednesday for the first time, competing in a European final. Arsenal’s full circle moment would be most fitting as they look to win their first title since 2007, the last time they won the WSL.
Arsenal’s Path to the Final
Arsenal’s path to reaching the final has truly been a fairytale. The squad enjoyed a massive upset victory by beating Lyon. This club has dominated women’s football, winning eight Champions League titles in the past 15 years. Lyon are not the same juggernaut as in 2022 when they last claimed a championship. At the time, their current head coach of Chelsea Women, Sonia Bompastor was managing.
Arsenal were celebrating a tremendous win against Lyon, sending them through to their first Champions League final since 2007. At the time, they became the first and only English team to ever lift that particular trophy. The players have amazed everyone with their heart and talent during the tournament. Their run to the Champions League quarterfinals showed they can hang with some of Europe’s best.
“The way it was executed was very high-level. I’m very happy and very proud,” – Kim Little told Sky Sports News.
Little’s leadership has been absolutely essential, though, in helping her teammates navigate a steep learning curve early this season. As the captain, she emphasizes the importance of focus and commitment while preparing for monumental games like the upcoming final.
Acknowledging Kim Little’s Impact
Leah Williamson, a fellow teammate and international star, praised Little’s contributions, stating that she is “an unbelievable footballer that goes under the radar.” USWNT head coach, Vlatko Andonovski’s recognition further acknowledges Little’s vital presence on the team, establishing her as a role model who leads by example. It’s a commitment that has rubbed off on her teammates. Not just that, it’s made her one of England’s most iconic female footballers.
“I’m so happy for her that she gets to go and play a final,” said Slegers, Arsenal’s manager.
The manager’s enthusiasm reflects the collective excitement surrounding Little’s participation in this crucial match. For Little, competing in the final means much more than a career milestone. It represents many years of effort and determination.
Anticipating the Challenge Ahead
As Arsenal get set to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona, they know full well just how steep that mountain is. Barcelona have been quite the juggernaut of late, winning three of the last four Champions League titles. Their reputation as a ball-possessing counter-attacking side—with a penchant for the high press—makes them an incredibly difficult opponent that constantly threatens to apply pressure on Arsenal.
“It puts more pressure on ourselves, but we also know that looking forward to the final, Barcelona is a completely different team so it will be a different challenge,” Slegers explained.
This knowledge of Barcelona’s attacking prowess will need Arsenal to sharpen their performance levels to become sharper. Little emphasizes that her team must remain grounded and engaged, focusing on their roles while enjoying the experience of competing at such a high level.
“We need to enjoy what we’re doing – even in an environment like ours, working on the highest level,” Little stated.
Having had belief and confidence instilled in the squad, Arsenal will be looking to provide a strong response against their opponents. The players know that this final is a special chance to stand out on one of football’s biggest stages.
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