Details: Arsenal Ladies are targeting UEFA Women’s Champions League glory this year and are gearing up for the return leg of their last-32 clash with Barcelona at Boreham Wood FC on Thursday, October 4.
The Ladies have never faced Barcelona in the Champions League before, unlike their male counterparts. The 2007 European champions travelled to Spain on Wednesday September 26 for the first leg, coming out 3-0 on top, and will be hoping for more of the same when they welcome the Catalan side to England next week.
Laura Harvey’s team have reached the semi-finals in each of the last two years, and the manager is determined to go one step further this year.
“Our target is to win it. The last two years we’ve got to the semi-final and it’s been disappointing that we haven’t taken that last step of getting to the final,” she told Arsenal.com.
“This year we want to change that. We want to get to the final and the fact it’s in London in 2013 is an even bigger incentive for us.”
Arsenal’s involvement in the Champions League, coupled with a Continental Cup final appearance and the climax of the Women’s Super League season, means the squad have to play six games in just over two weeks, but the squad are confident they’re strong enough to deal with the fixture congestion.
If Arsenal prevail against Barcelona they will face either Belgian side Standard Liege or former winners FFC Turbine Potsdam of Germany.
Laura Harvey’s side would host the first leg of their potential last-16 tie on October 31 or November 1 before travelling to Belgium or Germany on November 7 or 8.
When? Thursday, October 4
Where? Meadow Park, Boreham Wood FC
More info: www.arsenal.com
