Football | Arsenal v Barcelona preview

Arsenal and Barcelona meet in the final of the 2025 UEFA Women’s Champions League 

Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade playing host to a fixture that pits Europe’s reigning giants against one of its most compelling comeback stories.

Author - Lauren W

As expected, Barcelona return to defend their crown. The Spanish champions, winners on three previous occasions, are now seasoned contenders on this stage. Their opponents, however, are a rather more unexpected presence. Arsenal are appearing in the final for the first time in 18 years, having failed to progress beyond the first round of qualifying only a year ago.

It is a classic contest between the perennial powerhouse and the resurgent underdogs. Arsenal have shown extraordinary resilience to reach this point, coming from behind in both the quarter-final and semi-final to underline the grit and belief behind their remarkable run. Barcelona, in contrast, have marched through with clinical precision, dispatching Chelsea 8–2 on aggregate in the semi-final and reaffirming their status as Europe’s benchmark.

Arsenal’s form heading into the final

Since booking their place in the final, Arsenal’s domestic form has been mixed. Injuries have played a part, with first-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar sidelined, and a 5–2 defeat to Aston Villa handed Chelsea their sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title. 

That was followed by a 4–2 loss to Brighton, though a dramatic 4–3 victory over Manchester United on the final day ensured the Gunners claimed second place.

READ MORE | Juventus 0 - 4 Arsenal

If Arsenal were to win the competition, it would be fitting that a team that has tried to pioneer the Women's game in the UK would be crowned champions of Europe.

How good are Barcelona?

Barcelona, meanwhile, have responded emphatically to questions about their trajectory under new head coach Pere Romeu, who succeeded Jonatan Giráldez last summer.

Defeats to Manchester City, Levante and Real Madrid had raised some eyebrows earlier in the campaign, but emphatic victories over Wolfsburg and Chelsea in Europe, alongside a sixth straight Liga F title, have reasserted their dominance. They remain the side to beat in the women’s game.