Why Arsenal may need to show a bit more caution in the Champions League semi-finals

Arsenal’s passage to the UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finals was greeted with euphoric celebrations at Stamford Bridge, yet the 1-0 second-leg defeat by Chelsea that sealed a 3-1 aggregate win ought to serve as a flashing warning light rather than a confidence boost. A stoppage-time concession, two first-half woodwork strikes and a string of outstanding saves from Daphne van Domselaar underlined how close the Gunters came to self-inflicted peril against a side languishing in the lower reaches of the Women’s Super League and braced for a summer rebuild.

Manager Renée Slegers set up in an ostensibly aggressive 4-4-2, pairing Alessia Russo behind Stina Blackstenius in the hope of pinning Chelsea deep and countering at pace. The plan rarely materialised. Russo, excellent at receiving and rolling markers, particularly Keira Walsh, subsequently mis-controlled or mis-placed five promising moves, leaving Blackstenius starved of service and, aside from a late offside finish, peripheral. “We didn’t create a lot apart from at the end,” admitted Chelsea boss Sonia Bompastor, whose own team might have buried the tie inside 15 minutes had either of their early efforts crept inside the frame.

The wide areas offered little relief. Olivia Smith’s first touch deserted her on the right, Caitlin Foord’s endeavour on the left was not matched by end product, and Arsenal’s midfield lacked the extra body that Frida Maanum’s inclusion would have provided. Slegers’ commitment to two strikers, so decisive in the first leg when Russo and Blackstenius combined for a two-goal cushion, looked less prudent when Chelsea poured forward.

Defensively, Arsenal were again stretched by balls in behind and, crucially, by aerial deliveries. Slegers twice opted to withdraw or omit Laia Codina, recognising her lack of recovery speed against Chelsea’s runners. When Steph Catley hobbled off before half-time, Katie McCabe again slotted in as an emergency centre-back, a role she has performed creditably but one that weakens the left flank. Late on, Codina was summoned to repel crosses only for Sjoeke Nusken to ghost between markers and head Chelsea’s consolation. Leah Williamson’s anticipated return for the last-four tie will help, yet Arsenal’s discomfort under high balls remains a live issue.

Slegers conceded the flaws. “We’re going to look at this and reflect and see how we can be better in different moments,” she said. The Dutch coach knows her squad possesses depth and adaptability—January arrival Smilla Holmberg has already featured as both right midfielder and right-back, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly wait in reserve, and McCabe’s versatility is proving invaluable—but the semi-final opponents, Lyon or Wolfsburg, are unlikely to spurn the chances Chelsea squandered.

Arsenal have proved they can survive adversity: last year they clambered past Real Madrid and Lyon en route to lifting the trophy, and their 2024 final win over Barcelona came after ceding the initiative for long spells. Still, the road to the trophy is smoother when comebacks are not required. A more conservative shape, a midfield extra, and a sharper attacking edge could transform a team that currently looks thrilling going forward only in patches and vulnerable when pressed.

The Emirates will roar whatever the line-up; Arsenal’s travelling support already dwarfed Chelsea’s, and a weekend semi-final date guarantees another raucous crowd. Yet the lesson of Stamford Bridge is clear: against elite European opposition, flair must be balanced by pragmatism. Slight tweaks, not wholesale changes, may decide whether the Gunners return to the final or fall one step short.