The atmosphere was electric in Lisbon as Arsenal Women clinched the Champions League title for the first time in nearly two decades.
Watching from the stands, Arsenal legend Ian Wright found himself caught up in the moment — so much so that he admitted his heart “went funny” during the match.
A Nervous Yet Proud Moment for Wright
The game was tense, with Arsenal facing a strong Barcelona side.
Stina Blackstenius came off the bench to score the only goal, sealing a 1-0 victory and ending an 18-year wait for the trophy.
While Wright has always been a passionate supporter of women’s football, this match hit him on a whole different level.
Speaking on TNT Sports, he said, “I can’t believe it.
This is the first time I’ve watched a game where my heart went funny.
When we scored I was like ‘Oh my God, this is happening.’”
He admitted that there were moments of worry, especially after seeing how many goals Arsenal had conceded in recent games, but his pride in the team was clear.
Praising Key Players Who Made the Difference
Wright was quick to highlight the collective effort of the team, singling out key defenders like Leah Williamson and Steph Catley for their crucial roles.
“Leah, Steph at the back, everybody—they all did the job that needed to be done against Barcelona,” Wright explained.
“In the end, I think they didn’t turn enough, and you have to take advantage of that to beat them.”
He also spoke about how Blackstenius’ introduction changed the game’s dynamic: “Once Stina came on, we knew we could threaten them and stretch them out there.”
How the Women’s Team Rescued Arsenal’s Season
Interestingly, Wright pointed out that this victory was even more significant considering Arsenal’s men’s team had struggled to bring home any silverware this season.
He said, “The ladies saved the club. It’s saved the embarrassment of not getting anything this season when we played so well in the men.”
For Wright, this triumph wasn’t just a win on the pitch — it was a moment of redemption and celebration for the whole Arsenal family.