Arsenal hold on against Chelsea to reach the semi-finals | OneFootball

Holders Arsenal booked their spot in the Champions League semi-final after a 3-2 aggregate win over Chelsea.

The Gunners' two-goal lead from the first-leg proved to be enough but with different luck it could have been a very different story.

Early on the Blues looked to make a bright start with Sjoeke Nüsken having an excellent chance early on but failing to convert.

Naturally, Arsenal looked to hit the counter with Russo and Blackstenius a threat to the Chelsea backline.

Chelsea continued to push well into the second half which set up a thrilling final 10 minutes plus stoppage.

Arsenal thought they'd put the tie to bed after good work from Beth Mead set up Blackstenius to head past Hannah Hampton. VAR intervened though, ruling the goal out for offside.

Almost immediately after that decision, Chelsea came close with Nüsken flashing a head just wide of the goal.

Soon after that Lauren James had an effort parried away by Daphne van Domselaar with Kadeisha Buchanan following up on the rebound but the Canadian's effort bounced back off the post.

The woodwork was rattled again soon after this time it was Nüsken again going close with a header that Van Domselaar did brilliantly well to push onto the post.

At the other end of the pitch, it was Arsenal's turn to hit the frame of the goal as Mead hit the post early in stoppage time.

In the fourth minute of added time Chelsea finally got a goal and one that was certainly deserved for Nüsken to make it 1-0 on the night and 2-3 on aggregate.

Arsenal survived what perhaps should have been a red card late on. Katie McCabe appeared to pull Alyssa Thompson's hair as the American charged forward late on, VAR apparently looked at it but decided to do nothing about it although it seemed like a clear call.

Indeed, Bompastor was incensed on the sidelines and her protests quickly earned her two successive bookings.

However, Arsenal held on in the end with a little luck but they also had chances themselves to finish the tie off much earlier.

Renée Slegers’ side will now face either Wolfsburg or OL Lyonnes in the semi-finals.