Renee Slesers and Leah Williamson greeted the 4-1 victory of Arsenal over Lyon to reach the Women's Champions League final as “special” for Captain Kim Little.
Arsenal conquered a shortage of one goal to earn a remarkable 5-3 aggregated victory with one of the largest performances on an English side in a European competition.
After five minutes, the draw was the same through the goal of a Christiane Endler. Mariona Caldentey placed Arsenal in the front with a stunning attack in the first half of the stop time, before Alessia Russo and Caitlin punished errors to have butchers spin.
“We talk about the Arsenal manner and what it looks like, and it's important for us because that's the football we believe in,” she said. “It is always difficult to deliver your product every day and every game, but the total photo of what we have done today against top opposition in a high -pressure moment is incredible from the players.
“The biggest key for us was how quiet we were because of all the phases of the game.
'Little is seven or eight WCL titles worthy'
But it was an excellent version of midfielder Little, who was visibly emotional in the full-time whistle when reaching her first Champions League final at the age of 34, who delighted both slurers and defender Leah Williamson.
“It was such a special moment for Kim,” said Slders. “She has been part of the club for so long, when you see how she invests and how hard she works, all players see it and feel it. The way she performs, it's incredible.”
Williamson told Sky Sports: “Kim Little is an incredible football player who goes under the radar all the time. Unfortunately, the international stage has not given her any of these incredible opportunities, but she is a player who is worthy seven or eight Champions League titles.
“I am very proud that the team did that for her today and the way she led us. That makes me happy in the parties.”
Little First came to the club in 2008 and will be the club record of Emma Byrne for Champions League performances if she plays in the final.
“It's really special,” Little told Sky Sports. “I think you can see that at the end of the game. Sometimes you just go daily and do all the hard work, and then comes a moment like this and it just feels pretty special.
“We work together day in day out with Leah, especially with Lea, and clearly all the girls. We see what put each other in it and we clearly have special ties that way. It will be quite special to share those moments and especially with someone like Leah.”
'We have to celebrate these special moments'
Sleges also deserve the honor for the recovery of the season of Arsenal after the departure of Jonas Eidevall asked in the season, but she quickly focused attention on her team.
“I don't think about it that way. I am so proud of the whole team and so happy for everyone that we have achieved this. It is a team performance. I don't get myself out what the team does. I am part of the team,” she said.
“This is of course the big games and the last phases we have played in recent months, but there is so much work that has been done before.
“We had to be eligible for the Champions League early in the season, but also the work that the club has done for many years to get us in this position that we are as good as the organization to compete at this high level.”
Arsenal will be confronted with Barcelona, ​​who has dismantled Chelsea 8-2 in total, in the final on 24 May -although butchers only focus on the Women's Super League match against Aston Villa.
“We are really looking forward to the final because the euphoria is on the field, because it is such a special moment, but then 30 minutes after it is as if Aston Villa is the next and we want to perform in it,” she added.
“So we are so happy and we have to celebrate these special moments – and we do that – but we are also very modest and we have to prepare for the next one.”
Analysis: Arsenal has mighty quick aged
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
Arsenal has learned a lot in eight days. The house and the way of this tie were chalk and cheese.
Renee Sleers were challenging after the 2-1 loss of last weekend with the Emirates, and emphasized the belief in the camp, but it was difficult to detect a lot of conviction. Arsenal were passive on the field, overwhelmed by the power of a team that Europe has conquered eight times before.
But all that changed in France. The Gunners threw away their underdog posture and went out brutal and radiant, as if they were there, as if they deserved to be there.
Not much would have predicted this result after the overwhelming start of Arsenal of the season. The turnaround since butchers took over the leadership in October, has been remarkable. And now they are in a European final for the first time since they won the competition in 2007.
The success of the slossers is rooted in harmonizing and uniting Arsenal's extremely talented team. Her style has been an instrumental accessory. And even if they can't pass Barcelona in Lisbon – can't do much – the real triumph arrives in the first place.