Chelsea are gearing up to take on Barcelona and Arsenal will face off against Wolfsburg in the semi-finals of the 2022/23 Women’s Champions League. Both WSL teams are facing tough games – can either of them progress to the final?
Arsenal will be without Kim Little, after it was confirmed that the Gunners captain will be out for the rest of the season. Additionally, they will also be without Leah Williamson, after she was worryingly brought off the field in the Gunners’ 1-0 midweek defeat against Manchester United.
Chelsea will not be able to call upon defender Millie Bright, but outside of this, the Blues have no new injury concerns.
In the quarter-finals, Arsenal came from behind to defeat Bayern Munich over two legs. In the first leg, the German outfit won by a score of 1-0 – with it all to do in the second leg, the Gunners pulled their socks up and won by a score of 2-0, thanks to goals from Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius.
Meanwhile, Chelsea had to fight hard to get past last season’s Champions League winners, Lyon. They won the first leg by a score of 1-0, but forfeited their lead in the reverse fixture as Lyon won 2-1 – meaning the tie went to a penalty shootout. In the shootout, the Blues held their nerve, winning 4-3 to progress to the semis.
Arsenal last won the Women’s Champions League all the way back in 2007 – meanwhile, Chelsea have never won the coveted prize. Could that change this season?