Arsenal’s victory in the Champions League against Barcelona is being referred to as the ‘Raducanu moment’ for British women’s football, as Renee Slegers’ team achieves a historic milestone.

Arsenal’s stunning UEFA Women’s Champions League final victory over Barcelona on Saturday has drawn comparisons to Emma Raducanu’s historic US Open triumph in 2021, a moment that resonated deeply within the realm of British sport.

The Gunners clinched a 1-0 win in Lisbon, courtesy of Stina Blackstenius’ decisive goal, marking their first European title in 18 years. This victory not only signifies a monumental achievement for the north London club but also serves as a pivotal moment for women’s football in England.

Former Arsenal midfielder, Carney, expressed her overwhelming pride as she witnessed her old side lift the most coveted trophy in women’s club football. “Someone just texted me and said it was like the Emma Raducanu of British women’s football moment,” she shared.

“I’m so emotional. Look at that group. Their game plan, their togetherness. This is massive for Arsenal. Massive for women’s football in England. North London, you’d better get a parade ready. You’d better get out to welcome these incredible women back. For the first time in 18 years, Arsenal Women, UEFA Champions League winners. My god, those girls, well done.”

Fellow TNT Sports pundit Fara Williams, who had a brief spell at Arsenal between 2016 and 2017, praised the Gunners’ resilience in overcoming adversity to stun Barcelona. “What an incredible achievement,” Williams exclaimed.

“This group of women here, if you think back to the very first qualifying stage of this tournament, to get to the very end and to win and put on a performance like they did today is unbelievable. The fans have been amazing; outnumbered by Barcelona, but these girls showed up when it mattered. All the hardship they’ve had over the season – manager sacking, new manager in charge. They’ve overcome all of that. They deserve it today, for sure.”

Renee Slegers, who took over as Arsenal manager after Jonas Eidevall’s resignation last October, has played a crucial role in this success. Under her guidance, the club has risen to second in the Women’s Super League and ended their European trophy drought against the heavy favourites Barcelona.

“They would have known that they were underdogs,” Williams continued. “They see social media and read what’s being said about them. That quarter-final against Real Madrid, where they came back at the Emirates, when they came through that game, there was a difference in confidence and self-belief. Their confidence grew throughout the game and their self-belief grew with that.”

“What is so impressive about this team is the way that they’ve overcome so many different hurdles. They were able to leap over them and end up winning the Champions League. They were the underdogs and no one believed. No one believed, but those players did.”

Arsenal’s journey to this triumph was anything but straightforward. They navigated through four rounds of preliminary qualifying before reaching the group stage. Despite facing challenges, including coming from behind against Hacken, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, they maintained their momentum, culminating in a sensational victory against the odds in Lisbon.

The whole of England is beyond proud of them, and the celebrations are sure to be wild as Arsenal lifts the Women’s Champions League trophy, having truly made their own history.