Key players, Barcelona weakness and Arsenal legacy – Karen Carney, Fara Williams preview UEFA Women’s Champions League final
Published 23/05/2025 at 18:54 GMT+1
Will Arsenal be crowned European champions for the second time in their history or will Barcelona lift the trophy for the third season in a row? All will be decided in Lisbon on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Ahead of the end-of-season showpiece, TNT Sports experts Karen Carney and Fara Williams preview the game and analyse how The Gunners can stun the three-time winners.
‘Incredibly hard to stop’ – Little ‘looking forward’ to solving puzzle of Barcelona in UWCL final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Arsenal are one step away from European glory.
After securing unforgettable comeback victories against Real Madrid and Lyon in their run to the final, The Gunners will need to produce one more win for the ages when they face reigning champions Barcelona on Saturday.
You will be able to watch all the action from Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Arsenal remain the only English team to taste European glory, back in 2007, and have the chance to lift the UEFA Women's Champions League with a win over the Catalan giants.
Barcelona will be looking to continue their dominance on the European stage by sealing their third consecutive Champions League crown.
Before the match, TNT Sports pundits Karen Carney and Fara Williams broke down where Renee Slegers' team can exploit Barca's weaknesses, and what it would mean for the women's game if the WSL side can win on Saturday.
What have you made of Arsenal's run to the final?
Williams
When you look at those matches against Lyon and Real Madrid, it was an unbelievable turnaround. I think those games would give them a lot of confidence to believe they can beat any team in the competition.
In terms of the performance, they absolutely dominated a Lyon team who were renowned for winning in this tournament in the semi-finals.
To go over there and defeat a team who were unbeaten at home in over two years, it was magnificent for them in terms of belief.
They had a really slow start in the group stages with some disappointing defeats, but to turn that around and to reach a Champions League final, nobody would’ve predicted that.
They’ve shown what this team is capable of achieving in knockout football and it’s fantastic for the women’s game here in this country.
Carney
It’s been an unbelievable journey. Arsenal have had their ups and downs with former coach Jonas Eidevall leaving in October, so it’s been a rollercoaster.
I was confident they’d come back against Lyon and Real Madrid, but when I was in the studio for that Madrid one, I’d never been so into a game in all my life, it was absolutely fantastic.
I’m buzzing for them and I’m so excited for this Lisbon trip. I can’t wait to go there and have the privilege to watch two amazing teams go toe-to-toe in the final.
I’m so happy to have an English [team] there.
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How much credit does Renee Slegers deserve?
Carney
Everyone was keeping eyes on Chelsea while Arsenal and Renee were going about their business in the background and building confidence and momentum.
She’s done a brilliant job and they seem to be playing with more freedom.
They look a lot calmer when they have the ball, and are playing better football on a technical level.
I would’ve never put Mariona Caldentey and Kim Little together at the start of the season, but they’ve been brilliant, and it’s been a great decision.
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Renee Slegers celebrates after Arsenal's comeback win in Lyon.
Image credit: Getty Images
She’s been brave by taking the shackles off Little and Caldentey and it was also a brilliant bit of business bringing Chloe Kelly into the club.
Alessia Russo has gone from strength to strength and there appears to be a bit more structure about them, but they can still play with that attacking freedom which is great.
Will Arsenal gain confidence from comeback wins?
Williams
The final isn’t a double-legged tie anymore like it was when Arsenal last won the competition in 2007. This is a one-off game and they won’t be able to achieve similar comebacks to the ones which have led them to the final.
They have to start fast, be strong and not allow Barcelona to get a foothold in the game. Once Barca get into their rhythm, it’ll be very difficult for Arsenal to get back into the match.
But those comebacks would have given the squad great confidence in knowing that they can score goals against the best teams, especially when you look back at the win in Lyon.
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Arsenal 'so naive' to surrender 'momentum' in first-leg defeat to Lyon - Williams
Video credit: TNT Sports
What has impressed you about The Gunners?
Carney
Arsenal have always stayed in a game, which has been a key part of their run. I really like their game management, with Katie McCabe and Leah Williamson showing their experience at key moments.
There was a moment in one of the knockout rounds where Arsenal were under pressure and Katie won the team a foul, which helped to nullify the other team’s momentum. That’s the sign of an experienced player.
You’ll need to do things like that in the final. You’ll need to manage the crowd and the occasion and you need players who are really clever in those situations.
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Katie McCabe celebrates at the Emirates Stadium.
Image credit: Getty Images
Who are the key players for Barcelona?
Williams
We always talk about the Barcelona attack but the way their midfield three (Alexia Putellas, Patricia Guijarro and Aitana Bonmati) operate in and out of possession is key.
Arsenal will need to keep an eye out on those players because they stretch the opposition and take them into areas where they don’t want to defend, and that leaves gaps for forward players like Ewa Pajor or Claudia Pina.
They need to be aware of that but even when the midfield trio don’t have the ball, they can set traps and give their opposition a false sense of security and that’s when they pounce.
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Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati will be the key players for Barcelona.
Image credit: Getty Images
Who are the key players for Arsenal?
Carney
Barcelona have only lost three games across the whole season against Manchester City, Levante and Real Madrid. In those games, the wide players played a key role in beating Barcelona, so Arsenal will need their own to put on a massive performance.
The match-winners are going to be Russo, Caldentey and Little but I think everyone is going to need to put on a big performance.
Williams
For Arsenal, every single player has to be on it. I think dealing with that Barca midfield three is so important.
It’s also key that Arsenal can get Daphne van Domselaar back fit for this game because having a trusted goalkeeper with the back line will be hugely important for them.
They’ll also hope that Russo is firing on all cylinders because when she’s on form, she’ll be crucial for this Arsenal team in the final.
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Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo will be Arsenal's main attacking threat.
Image credit: Getty Images
Do Barcelona have any weaknesses?
Carney
They’ve shown vulnerabilities in transition and set pieces – Man City scored against them from a corner so Arsenal might look to exploit that.
When I watched the final in the stadium between Barcelona and Lyon a few years ago, I was confident that Barca would win comfortably but Lyon absolutely bullied them on the day.
Sometimes, when you have technically gifted players like Barcelona do, Lyon got the upper hand by physically dominating them with fair and strong tackles.
They wouldn’t be used to the physical side of the game and they have a high line like the men’s team, so Arsenal can get in behind them.
Williams
Looking back at their group-stage loss, Manchester City were bang on with their tactics. They set high presses, tried to win the ball high up the pitch and were aggressive.
Work-rate off the ball is key for Arsenal and they’ll need to get in the faces of these Barca players because they won’t be used to it, and that’s a weakness for them.
I also don’t think their backline has been tested that much and I do think they’re capable of losing in a one-off game, but it will be difficult for Arsenal.
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Barcelona struggled to deal with Manchester City earlier this season.
Image credit: Getty Images
I think they have the tools to beat Barca because they have players who are much better suited to a high-pressing game where they can be on the front foot and be aggressive.
Arsenal also have the composure to play with the ball and there aren’t many teams who can match Barca in that department in terms of possession.
Fast transitions, control and having that bit of rest while in possession will be key for Arsenal because they have to play the game at an intensity where they’re comfortable.
I think if Arsenal can dictate the tempo and rhythm of the game then they have a great chance of winning the final.
Any advice for Arsenal ahead of the final?
Carney
I was part of the Arsenal team that won it in 2007 against Umea, and it was my first Champions League final at only 18 years old, so it was a little bit daunting. My only piece of advice is that you’ll need to fight.
We won the quadruple that season so we were a good team, but we had to defend and do things we weren’t accustomed to doing. We had to fight, dig deep, manage the game and do the ugly side of the game.
I know it sounds simple but we’d absolutely run through a brick wall for each other. It’s not often you get to Champions League finals and when I was 18, I thought I’d get to play in many more ,but that never happened.
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Arsenal celebrate European success in 2007.
Image credit: Getty Images
This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so you don’t want to have any regrets. The main thing that you can control is to run your socks off. Arsenal also have some good squad players who can come off the bench and make a difference.
Our 2007 team ran through a brick wall and even though the other team were the favourites by a country mile, sometimes heart, soul and fight can trump talent.
What would an Arsenal victory mean?
Williams
It would be massive. Arsenal are still the only team to win it and that happened 18 years ago and a lot has changed since then.
We feel that our league is the most competitive but we fall short when it comes to European football in the Champions League.
I think if Arsenal manage to win it, people will start to think the English league is serious about their competitiveness, and they have teams that can win on the big stage.
It would also grow the game with more eyes and brands looking to get on board and help expand it even further.
Carney
It would be absolutely incredible but for me personally, I’m thinking about what it would mean for the club, players and the fanbase.
As a whole, it would be great for the England fans, especially with the Euros coming up this summer. It would be great to showcase that an English team had won the biggest prize and get some exposure before the tournament in Switzerland.
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Thoughts?