Arsenal vs Barcelona LIVE: Women’s Champions League final builds up to kick-off in Lisbon | OneFootball

Arsenal take to the pitch in Lisbon ahead of the Champions League final (Getty Images)

Arsenal take on holders Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final in Lisbon as the Gunners attempt to become the first English team to win the tournament since their historic victory 18 years ago.

Arsenal are through to their first European final since winning the Uefa Women’s Cup in 2007, but face the new dominant force of European football in reigning champions Barcelona. The Spanish side will be playing in their fifth final in a row, and are targeting a hat-trick of titles in Lisbon.

Arsenal have taken a rollercoaster route to the final with head coach Renee Slegers taking over in mid-season and the Gunners requiring dramatic comebacks to defeat Real Madrid and eight-time Champions League winners Lyon in the knockout rounds.

Barcelona continued to deny English champions Chelsea, with an 8-2 aggregate victory over the unbeaten treble winners in the semi-finals underlining the scale of Arsenal’s task. Arsenal’s player of the year Mariona Caldentey will face her former team, having won a third Champions League with Barcelona in last year’s final.

How Mariona Caldentey elevated Arsenal on road to Champions League final

When Arsenal approached Mariona Caldentey in the summer of 2024, it was with occasions like Saturday’s Women’s Champions League final in mind. A three-time European champion with Barcelona, and a World Cup winner with Spain, the midfielder was seen as a figure with the talent, work ethic, charisma and trophy cabinet to help Arsenal to the next level.

Her final game for Barcelona came in Bilbao, as they defeated Lyon to retain the Champions League. A year on, the last game of her first season at Arsenal will culminate in another Champions League final, this time against her former side.

Just as Arsenal hoped, Caldentey has been pivotal to their run to their first Women’s Champions League final since 2007.

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 13:00

'We were the best team in the world'

Although the landscape of women’s football has developed significantly, the significance of the 2007 triumph still runs through Arsenal now. Leah Williamson, part of the club’s academy since the age of nine, was a mascot and walked out alongside the team before they became European champions. Little first joined Arsenal in 2008, so has spent her entire career chasing the goal of appearing in another European final. Kelly Smith, the legendary Arsenal and England striker, is part of the current coaching staff.

Jayne Ludlow captained Arsenal in 2007 and explains how they were “programmed to win”. Success was not just demanded but expected. “I’m proud to say that the club has always supported the women’s team extremely well,” Ludlow says. “The success in 2007 was recognition of this investment and support, but, in all honesty, was [just] another trophy for us. The win reinforced what we believed: that we were the best in the world.”

(Getty Images)

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 12:40

‘It can start the cycle over’: Arsenal’s Champions League inspiration is their own past

When Kim Little leads Arsenal out onto the pitch at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, the first step they will have to face is believing they belong there. On the other side, Barcelona by now expect to be appearing in Women’s Champions League finals, as the all-conquering Spanish team target a third European title in a row and a fourth in five seasons.

Arsenal can’t afford to think too much about their opposition. Barcelona are the best team in the world and progressed to the final by demolishing Chelsea, the best in England, 8-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. That Chelsea finished 12 points ahead of the Gunners in this season’s Women’s Super League, but were so comfortably dismissed by Barcelona in Europe, underlines the scale of Arsenal’s task on Saturday evening.

The Arsenal fans travelling out to the Portuguese capital for the club’s first Women’s Champions League final in 18 years have something else to remember, though. They are the last, and remain the only, English club to win the competition.

Arsenal’s inspiration is their own past: ‘It can start the cycle over’

Barcelona are the clear favourites in Lisbon, but Arsenal have the chance to bring their journey full circle – while raising what it means to another level

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 12:20

'I feel like this is where we want to be'

Arsenal’s squad were this week visited by some of the members of the 2007 team that won the Uefa Women’s Cup and Alessia Russo said the club was back where they belong after reaching their first Champions League final for 18 years.

“I think any player who plays for Arsenal understands that it’s a winning club,” Russo said. “It’s a club that wants to be ambitious and competing with the best. I feel like this is where we want to be.

“We’ll keep pushing as a group, and we’re very away of what came before us as well. Kim has played for the club for so long and she deserves to be here.

“We also had lunch with some of the 2007 winners, to understand how much it means to them. How much they still feel part of the club is special for the current players.”

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 12:00

What is the Barcelona team news?

Barcelona’s spine has been familiar for many years, as is built around the key partnerships and experience of Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro in midfield and Mapi Leon and Irene Paredes in defence. Spain’s No 1 Cata Coll and right back Ona Batlle continue the Spanish spine of the team.

Sweden’s Fridolina Rolfo brings a versatile threat from left back while Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen is arguably the world’s best winger on the right. Up front, Barcelona have this season added the goals of Poland striker Ewa Pajor after her arrival from Wolfsburg.

Claudia Pina has ten goals in the Champions League this season, including three in the semi-final victory over Chelsea. Whether she starts over Spain team-mate Salma Paralluelo on the left wing is likely to be the only big team selection Pere Romeu has to make.

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 11:10

What is the Arsenal team news?

Arsenal could line up exactly how they did in the 4-1 win at Lyon in the semi-final second leg. Leah Williamson leads the defence and Steph Catley has emerged as her centre-back partner this season, with Emily Fox and Katie McCabe at full-back.

Mariona Caldentey has been influential from a deeper midfield position alongside captain Kim Little, with Frida Maanum allowed to roam further forward. On the wings, Arsenal carry pace and danger in Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord, while striker Alessia Russo has seven Champions League goals this season, level with Caldentey.

The only question comes down to goalkeeper. Daphne van Domselaar is available but has not played in Arsenal’s last three games due to injury.

Jamie Braidwood24 May 2025 11:05