Arsenal fans will be shocked to learn what they just achieved by beating Chelsea

It was certainly a nervy night, but the holders' hopes of retaining their Champions League trophy remain alive. On Wednesday night, 3-1 up from the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal battled past Chelsea in the return fixture of their quarter-final showdown. Stina Blackstenius thought she'd given the Gunners some much-needed breathing space, only for her header to be disallowed due to offside.

Sonia Bompastor's team threw the kitchen sink at the visitors, with Sjoeke Nüsken finally beating an inspired Daphne van Domselaar deep into added time, but Renée Slegers' side held on for a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

As a result, Arsenal have now reached the Champions League semi-finals in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2013, having won the competition in Lisbon last May. Nevertheless, with nine last four appearances, this puts them second on the all-time list in that regard.

Clubs ranked by Champions League semi-final appearances

Note: Statistics correct as of 2 April 2026; Lyon, Wolfsburg & Barcelona could all reach this season's semi-finals.

Later this month, the Gunners will face either VfL Wolfsburg or Olympique Lyonnais Féminin in the semi-finals, with the first leg in North London on 25/26 April. before traveling to Germany or France the following weekend. Their quarter-final clash is in the balance after die Weißgrünen won 1-0 at the Volkswagen Arena last mid-week.

Aside from winning the Champions League in 2007 and last May, the Gunners record at the semi-final stage of the tournament is actually pretty miserable.

Arsenal's previous Champions League semi-final results

• 2003: Lost 8-2 on aggregate to Fortuna Hjørring.

• 2005: Lost 2-1 on aggregate to Djurgården.

• 2007: Won 5-2 on aggregate against Brøndby.

• 2011: Lost 5-2 on aggregate to Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.

• 2012: Lost 4-1 on aggregate to Eintracht Frankfurt Frauen.

• 2013: Lost 4-1 on aggregate to VfL Wolfsburg Frauen.

• 2023: Lost 5-4 on aggregate to VfL Wolfsburg Frauen after extra time.

• 2025: Won 5-3 on aggregate against Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.

The Gunners have twice exited the Champions League in the last four at the hands of Wolfsburg, including three seasons ago when Pauline Bremer's extra time goal at the Emirates secured die Wölfinnen's spot in Eindhoven. Instead, perhaps Gooners would like to face Lyon in a rematch of last season's semi-final encounter.

12 months ago, the record, eight-times winners of this competition won 2-1 in North London, at which point most assumed les Fenottes were heading to Lisbon. However, eight days later, strikes from Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and then Caitlin Foord in Décines-Charpieu secured a famous 4-1 win for Slegers' team, sending them through to the final, where they of course beat Barcelona 1-0 at Estádio José Alvalade.

This time round, we could be getting a sense of déjà vu. Barça Femení will be firm favourites to reach a sixth successive final, expected to swat aside Bayern Munich in their semi-final. The Catalan giants have met Lyon, Wolfsburg, Lyon and Arsenal in the last four finals, meaning a rerun would be guaranteed at the Ullevål in Oslo come 23 May. Whoever Arsenal face, given their Champions League pedigree, the reigning European champions have to feel they have a great chance of being there.