Here we go again—Arsenal and Lyon are about to face off in the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals, and honestly, if you’ve followed women’s football for even a bit, you know this one hits different. These two teams are packed with history. Lyon’s got eight European titles, which is wild, and Arsenal, well—they’ve been growing stronger again, especially lately.
This isn’t just another game. There’s a lot of pride and past between these two sides. And with the form Arsenal’s in right now? Yeah, Lyon better be ready.
Renee Slegers Changed the Vibe at Arsenal
Back in October, when Renee Slegers stepped in as Arsenal’s interim coach, not many people expected much. But man, she’s really turned things around. She’s not loud or flashy—just calm, clear, and focused. It actually took a few months for the club to give her the full-time job, but ever since she settled in, the results have spoken for themselves.
Her whole thing is staying grounded. Like she literally said, “We stay calm and focus on the present. Emotions aren’t going to help us.” And that’s kinda become the team’s energy too. You can see the players enjoying their football again. They're moving with purpose but also just playing more freely, which wasn’t always the case before.
Arsenal Are Playing Like They’ve Got Nothing to Lose
Honestly? This new Arsenal looks dangerous. They've won eight games in a row, scored 31 goals, and only let in two. That’s no fluke. In the quarter-final, they were down two goals against Real Madrid, and they still came back and won. That says a lot.
What’s different now is how they mix things up. Sometimes they press high, sometimes they slow it down and build patiently. They’re not stuck in one style anymore. That’s made them way less predictable—and way harder to stop.
Players Who Are Really Stepping Up
There are a few names you’ve definitely got to watch:
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Alessia Russo – She’s playing higher up the pitch now and is scoring more. Feels like she’s in the zone lately.
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Chloe Kelly – Her crosses from the right wing have been deadly. She helped set up two goals against Real Madrid.
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Caitlin Foord – On the left, she’s always going at defenders. Whether it’s cutting in or running wide, she keeps them on edge.
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Mariona Caldentey & Frida Maanum – These two are just so good at keeping things ticking in midfield. Smart passes, good movement, all that.
Lyon Can’t Just Rely on Experience This Time
Lyon’s got Joe Montemurro as manager, and yeah, he used to coach Arsenal, so he knows them. But this version of Arsenal? It's not the same. They’ve changed a lot—tactically and mentally. Joe might know the players, but that doesn’t mean he can stop what they’re doing now.
Arsenal’s got more ways to win now—fast counter-attacks, patient buildup, even sneaky set pieces. Remember that three-goal burst against Madrid? Russo, Caldentey, and McCabe all scored like boom-boom-boom. Lyon’s going to have to stay super sharp.
This Is Bigger Than Just a Semi-Final
Yeah, Arsenal’s not going to win the league this year, but that doesn’t mean their season’s done. If anything, they’re peaking at the right time. This semi-final isn’t just about getting to the final—it’s about showing they’re really back on the big stage, and that this form under Slegers is for real.
It’s a huge test, no doubt. But with the way they’re playing, you kinda feel like anything’s possible.
