Arsenal vs Barcelona: Clash of Icons in the UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

In the world of global football, when the names Arsenal and Barcelona are mentioned, ears perk up and heads turn sideways. Both club badges are recognisable to casual fans, fanatics, and even those who don’t follow football. So, when the opportunity comes for Barcelona Femení and Arsenal Women to face off in the 2025 version of the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on DAZN, millions will be watching.

These two have only ever battled in European tournaments five times previously, making meetings extremely rare and always entertaining. Starting in 2012 up until 2021, Barcelona have secured three triumphs over Arsenal’s two. The scores have ranged anywhere between 4-0 to 2-5, leaving anyone’s goals for the taking. Many changes over the past 15 years signify the growth of women’s football, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well.

Arsenal Women: History Meets Hope

Arsenal Women were founded in 1987, and since then have become the beaming pride of North London. Only in 2007 did continental glory become reality, the first and only time an English club has conquered the Women’s Champions League. Even then, the tournament was known as the UEFA Women’s Cup. To put that into perspective, during the year 2007, Emma Hayes (the now US Women’s National Team head coach) was an assistant under Vic Akers, who founded Arsenal’s women’s side.
 
The closest attempt at reclaiming victory occurred during the 2022-23 season, wherein Arsenal reached the semi-final of the tournament against German giants VfL Wolfsburg. Because of an aggregate scoreline, the Gunners fell one goal short of redemption at 4-5. Ironically, in the final of that year, Barcelona went on to defeat Wolfsburg to become crowned queens of Europe.

Tactical Overview and Players to Watch

The English club are being led this season for the first time by head coach Renée Slegers. Slegers is a former Dutch international and adds tactical prowess when deploying her talents. Often relying on a 4-2-3-1 formation, striker Alessia Russo and forward Mariona Caldentey lead the pack with 7 goals in the tournament each. This statistic proved vital in the semi-final, where many believed less experienced Arsenal would not defeat 8x champions Olympique Lyonnais. Through aggregate, teamwork and the element of surprise, the Gooners proved doubters wrong by safely securing a 5-3 conquest, including booking tickets to the final in Lisbon.
 
A quick acknowledgement to those who may not have contributed in the attack but stopped many opponent chances. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar provided three clean sheets in six appearances while captain Leah Williamson contributed 67 ball recoveries, 9 tackles and 5 blocks on the back line.
 
The odds are stacked for the red and white club, who did not place first in the English domestic Barclays WSL table this season, although they have the opportunity to do what the league winners could not; win a UEFA Women’s Champions League title against FC Barcelona.

Barcelona Femení: Champions at the Peak

In the blue corner, current UEFA Women’s Champions League title holders and Spain’s Barcelona Femení stand tall and proud. The Blaugrana club has been dominating European women’s football for the past few years, including a successful unbeaten run for the continental trophy in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Founded in the year 1970, Barça has had a much different upbringing, including fighting relegation in the early 2000s and only going fully professional in 2015. Their struggles have contributed to their accomplishments, and going up against Arsenal will be a testament to a leading legacy.
 
Players who have helped build the blue and red club include Ballon D’or winners Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, leading the group with experience and homegrown roots. In one season, new head coach Pere Romeu has had his slip-ups at the helm, including several league losses, although ultimately pulling it together to claim victory in the domestic Liga F. This will be Femení’s 6th consecutive UEFA Women’s Champions League appearance in a row.

Stars on the Pitch and Strategic Outlook

Barcelona are renowned for a 4-3-3 formation, keeping the ball while passing quickly to move up the pitch. This has worked extremely well, especially against various European clubs. The most goal contributions in the tournament have been from Claudia Pina, scoring 10 goals in 8 games, followed by Ewa Pajor with 7 goals in 10 games. On average, Barça secure 4 goals per match and only allow 0.7 with the help of goalkeeper Cata Coll. Patri Guijarro in the midfield will attempt to keep Arsenal away from the ball as much as possible. Femení also maintain over 90% passing accuracy per match in the competition, which no other club has accomplished.
 
Players are resting for the final, staff are preparing for the opponent, and fans are painting their faces red and white or yellow and blue. The winner will take it all on May 24th. 

Watch the UEFA Women's Champions League live for free on DAZN.