We are officially UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finalists after a glorious 2-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening.
Speaking after the final whistle, Frida Maanum reflected on the tremendous achievement from our Gunners.
“Obviously, it was a big goal for us as a group,” she said. “‘Now that we’ve finally made it, it's just really, really nice.”
Our Norwegian midfielder’s exquisite strike into the top-left corner lit the fuse on a magical evening at Emirates Stadium, but she still has some lingering disbelief.
“I didn't really believe it had gone in - I thought it went over actually! But the feeling was amazing.”
Following an uneven February, our Gunners are enjoying a March for the ages - lifting the Conti Cup, revitalising our Women’s Super League title hopes and now, booking a place in the Champions League semi-final.
For Maanum, playing in this team has become second nature.
"It’s quite easy because we have the relationships. We know each other quite well and you see out there, we know where we are all the time on the pitch.
“That shows in the first goal as well how we played before the goal came. I think it's fun to watch."
Kim Little hobbling off the pitch after only 10 minutes was the stuff of nightmares for any supporter, especially in the wake of Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema’s season-ending injuries.
Rather than crumble under the loss of our captain, our Gunners put on a staggering performance - characterised by unity and belief.
"Kim is so important for us and we knew when she went off, we all had to take responsibility and I think we did that straightaway. Lotte came in straightaway and yeah, we just tried to build on how we started the game."
Now, it’s back to London Colney and back to the WSL with a huge match-up against current league-leaders Manchester City on the horizon.
“We keep this feeling tonight but then tomorrow, we go again,” said Maanum. “We train and then we focus on City.”
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