REWIND: Arsenal suffer first leg defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg will meet in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals in 2022 as the pair battle it out for the chance to play Real Madrid or Barcelona in the semi-finals.

The two sides last met in the semi-final stage in 2013 when they were playing for the chance to feature in an English-hosted final at Stamford Bridge.

FAWSL Full-Time go back to that first leg tie in 2013 to review the action as it unfolded at Meadow Park.

Arsenal’s task was made all the more difficult against Wolfsburg with forward Kelly Smith out injured and Shelley Kerr’s side struggled to create any real openings in the first 20 minutes.

The FA Women’s Super League side were the first team to go close when Rachel Yankey’s corner caused pandemonium in the Wolfsburg box and Lena Goessling needed to be there to head the ball off the line.

Ellen White then drilled an effort just wide before the visitors took the lead against the run of play. Gilly Flaherty gave away cheap possession to Anna Blasse and the forward played in teammate Conny Pohlers to score.

Arsenal upped their game after conceding and they twice went close before the break. First, Luisa Wensing hacked the ball away after Ellen White had rounded visiting keeper Alisa Vetterlein before Steph Houghton’s vicious free-kick was blocked.

It was more of the same for The Gunners after the break. Jen Beattie headed an effort wide before the unfortunate Ellen White powered a header against the crossbar. It simply wasn’t the forward’s day with White again being denied soon after, Wolfsburg full-back Luisa Wensing heading the ball off the line.

A 1-0 defeat would have left Arsenal well and truly in the tie but they were to concede a second goal six minutes from time when Martina Muller fired the ball home.

The game ended 2-0 to the visitors who went on to lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy for the first time that season.

About The Author

Daniel Pentland

I am the editor and owner of the WSL Full-Time brand which I launched in 2018.

I am an accredited journalist with the FWA, SJA and AIPS. I have reported from various levels of men’s and women’s elite football since 2016.

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