UEFA Women's Champions League: Arsenal's stunning win has 'saved' club from 'embarrassment' after men's near misses, says Ian Wright
ByOli Gent
Published 24/05/2025 at 21:46 GMT+1
Ian Wright told TNT Sports that Arsenal's women's side had "saved" the club after their incredible UEFA Women's Champions League victory. The Gunners beat Barcelona 1-0 at the Estadio Jose Alavade thanks to Stina Blackstenius' winning goal in the 74th minute to hand the north Londoners their first European trophy in 18 years, and their first trophy of this season across both the men and women.
'No one gave us a chance' - Arsenal legend Wright says UWCL victory 'saved the club'
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ian Wright said that Arsenal’s women had spared the men’s blushes after they secured The Gunners’ only piece of silverware this season with a first UEFA Women's Champions League trophy in 18 years.
The north Londoners defeated Barcelona 1-0 in Lisbon against all the odds, with Stina Blackstenius netting the match-winning goal at the Estadio Jose Alavade.
The men’s side had come close but not close enough in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, all-but cementing second place and Champions League qualification in the league, while reaching the last four of Europe’s elite competition, falling to Paris Saint-Germain over two legs.
Now, Wright, the former Arsenal striker, speaking on TNT Sports, said the women had "saved the club".
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"It’s saved the club," Wright said of the Women’s Champions League triumph.
"The embarrassment of not winning anything when we’ve played so well with the men. The ladies have saved the club. We’ve got something to celebrate.
"They need a parade. They’ve beaten Barcelona in the Champions League. No-one gave them a chance, and they average four goals a game. Everyone wrote them off. They deserve all the accolades they’re getting because this is a magnificent achievement.
"Look how far it’s come. I remember the Champions League being at Boreham Wood, and where they are now, Arsenal winning it. It’s amazing."
Wright, a huge advocate for women’s football, admitted that his heart "went funny" as he watched on anxiously in the stands.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
"I can’t believe it," he said.
"This is the first time I’ve watched a game where my heart went funny. When we scored, I was like, ‘Oh my god, this is happening’. I’m delighted for them, no-one gave them a chance, especially after the last couple of games.
"I was worried, especially with the amount of goals we were conceding. Today, everybody did the job. That’s what it needed against Barcelona.
"I thought it was going to be one of those games where we create the chances - that we might get punished for this. Because you have to punish this Barcelona side. In the end, they didn’t turn up, and you have to take advantage of that."
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