DEFENDING champions Arsenal welcome OL Lyonnes to the Emirates for their UEFA Women’s Champions League semifinal first leg on Sunday.
This is the second consecutive season that the sides have met at this stage in the competition, as Arsenal edged out the eight-time champions 5-3 on aggregate last year.
Arsenal are the only English side to have reached two European finals, with fellow Women’s Super League sides Chelsea and Manchester United exiting the tournament in the quarterfinals.
The club have announced that forward Stina Blackstenius has signed a new contract ahead of Sunday’s clash, extending the Swedish international’s stay after scoring the winner in last year’s final vs. Barcelona.
OL Lyonnes remain dominant in the Women’s Champions League, entering their 15th semifinal and haven’t lost away from home at this stage since 2008/09.
They enter the semifinal first leg after recovering from a first leg defeat at Wolfsburg before scoring three quick-fire extra-time strikes to set up the rematch vs. Arsenal.
The teams will face off at the Emirates on Sunday 26th April with a 3:30pm KO for their Women’s Champions League semifinal first leg.
By @ChloBoyne
