Arsenal’s Summer Ambitions Meet Hincapie’s Rising Star Weapons store have reliably illustrated driven squad-building beneath Mikel Arteta, focusing on youthful, flexible gifts balanced to raise the team's play presently and within the future. Piero Hincapie—a 23-year-old Ecuadorian defender known for his aggression, technical ability, and adaptability—perfectly aligns with this strategy. The bargain: a season-long advance from Bayer Leverkusen, including an alternative to purchase for a add up to potential taken a toll of £52 million (£45 million/$61 million), additionally a 10% sell-on clause for Leverkusen in case Weapons store trigger the purchase. For Arsenal, this structure delivers squad depth without immediate financial strain, while Leverkusen secure long-term value from one of their top assets. Hincapie’s Profile: From South America to Bundesliga Standout Early Rise: Hincapie risen from Ecuador's Independiente del Valle, inspiring with his development and constancy so...
This was perhaps the Gunners' best performance of the season: Kim Little was metronomic, Leah Williamson superb, Mariona Caldentey hungry, Alessia Russo clinical, and Chloe Kelly unstoppable as they dominated from start to end.
The home team had been wasteful in the first half, but it made little difference as three goals in a frenzied 13 minutes set up a wonderful semi-final against eight-time Champions League champions Lyon and former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro.
The atmosphere on the team had been pleasant. "We believe we can do it," Renée Slegers said prior. Arsenal had been here before, overcoming a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich to reach the semi-finals two years ago, but this time the mountain was even higher, with Athenea del Castillo adding to Linda Caicedo's strike in the 82nd minute of the first leg to put pressure on the match in north London.
There could be no excuses on the carpet-like surface for which their game is designed, with the torrential rain and torn-up pitch at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefáno providing some forgiving context to the 2-0 loss in Spain.
However, this was in Arsenal's home stadium, in front of over 20,000 spectators who frantically encouraged their team forward as they attempted to reduce the score early on. The home team dominated the first half, with more than 65% possession and 26 touches in the opponent box to Madrid's three.
Despite this, the final ball was terrible, with only one shot on target before the interval, a dismal figure. Maëlle Lakrar saved Alessia Russo following Katie McCabe's flick, and Mariona Caldentey headed off the bar from the resulting corner. Caitlin Foord struggled to connect cleanly with a Russo ball and landed heavily, while Kelly's crosses were wasted.
In the 41st minute, Daphne van Domselaar's double save kept the Gunners in the game. That was the final meaningful action of the first half and, with time ticking away from the hosts, hope started to seep from the crowd.
Madrid were well-organized, having made only one forced change to the winning lineup in Spain, with Melanie Leupolz out due to injury, and confidence was high following their first upset of La Liga champions Barcelona on Sunday. They handled the Arsenal pressure relatively well.
There was no time to waste, although the plan had been available in the first half. Arsenal had been unable to capitalize on Kelly's crosses for 45 minutes, but it only took one minute for them to accomplish so.
Russo turned in from her England teammate right after the restart, and three minutes later the tie was level via the same source - this time Kelly's ball was met by Caldentey's head and directed coolly past Misa Rodríguez.
Just before the hour, Arsenal took the lead in the encounter when Steph Catley nodded down McCabe's free-kick, which was stroked in by Russo. The comeback was stunning and well-deserved, as the Emirates Stadium audience cheered with each touch, turn, and pass.
After a 13-minute blitz, the Gunners maintained continuous pressure on the Spanish team. Olga Carmona was dragged down by the re-energized Kelly, who joined Arsenal on loan from Manchester City in late January.
The Gunners felt they had been rewarded for all that work just beyond the 70th minute, when Russo tapped Frida Maanum's ball in past Rodríguez. However, it was ruled off following a VAR assessment for the slightest of offsides.
As the clock ticked down, Beth Mead and Lia Wälti took over for Kelly and Maanum, while a weary Carmona was removed as one of three changes for the visitors a few minutes later.
Russo was denied a hat-trick for the second time with two minutes remaining, being flagged offside after shooting past the Spanish goalie for the fourth time.
Any frustration the forward may have had was alleviated by a triumphant celebration, with fans filling the 60,000-seat stadium with noise.
With this dominant performance, Arsenal has delivered a message to the rest of Europe. Lyon, led by Montemurro, awaits the semi-finals after defeating Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate. Those games will be played throughout the last two weekends of April.
This item was modified on March 27, 2025. Arsenal overcome a 1-0 quarter-final deficit against Bayern Munich in 2023, not last season, as previously stated.
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