Arsenal 2-3 Wolfsburg AET (Agg. 4-5): Player ratings as Gunners knocked out of Europe
Arsenal suffered late Women's Champions League heartbreak as an 119th-minute strike from Pauline Bremer saw Wolfsburg win at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night and book their spot in the final against Barcelona.
Jule Brand robbed Lotte Wubben-Moy in the final third to set up a tap in for substitute Bremer after the game had been forced into extra time.
A record of 60,063 fans saw Stina Blackstenius chase down a ball forward and put Arsenal ahead before former Gunner Jill Roord levelled things up with a strike from distance.
Returning striker Alexandra Popp headed Wolfsburg ahead as the Germans looked to take control of the tie, but Jennifer Beattie rose to convert Wubben-Moy's cross and send the game into 30 additional minutes, where Wolfsburg snatched it at the death.
Very brief spells of possession were shared before VAR official Paolo Valeri called referee Lina Lehtovaara to check a handball against Wubben-Moy in the opening five minutes. While the ball struck her hand, the nerves were quashed when Lehtovaara's arm went up to signal an earlier offside.
The absences of injured Gunners stars Beth Mead, Viv Miedema, Leah Williamson, Kim Little and Caitlin Foord did little to dampen the mood of a sold out Emirates and the raucous atmosphere turned up a few notches when the hosts capitalised on a defensive mix-up to take the lead for the first time across the tie.
A crunching Katie McCabe tackle allowed Lia Walti to play the ball behind Wolfsburg defence for the chasing Blackstenius. Hesitation from Kathrin Hendrich and goalkeeper Merle Frohms allowed the striker to nip in and score the opener, eventually green lit by VAR.
Arsenal's attacks were roared on each time by the home crowd, though Victoria Pelova couldn't beat Hendrich when in behind before Lynn Wilms' fierce strike was batted away by Manuela Zinsberger with Wolfsburg's first real moment of quality.
The visitors had 58% of possession in that first half but only found a response just before half time, though it was enough to make the Gunners pay for some missed opportunities on the break.
Noelle Maritz hauled down Popp out wide and the Germany international flicked the subsequent free kick to Roord. The former Arsenal midfielder controlled on the edge of the penalty area and beat Zinsberger with a sweet half volley.
The first sight of Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir in full flight saw the Icelandic speedster race away down the left, passing Maritz before cutting inside and shooting straight at Zinsberger.
Wolfsburg earned a reprieve at the start of the second half when Maritz crossed for Blackstenius to convert, but Maritz was adjudged to have strayed offside.
The visitors' control of the game increased as Walti was forced to clear off her own line before the returning Popp made her mark.
Popp, who last played against Werder Bremen on 2 April, used her renowned aerial prowess to reach Felicitas Rauch's corner and glance a header in at the near post to out Wolfsburg ahead in the tie again.
Blackstenius was surprisingly brought off before Beattie moved from defence to attack to great effect, though not before Svenja Huth pulled a wonderful chance to make it 3-1 before the home side equalised.
A free kick was cleared out wide where Wubben-Moy retrieved possession. The centre back's pinpoint cross found Beattie, who directed her header into the far corner to drag Arsenal level again.
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An attendance of 60,063, a record for a women's domestic game in England and any women's club match's away from Camp Nou, saw substitute Laura Wienroither stretchered off and in the closing moments and extra time soon commenced with the aggregate score at 4-4.
Frida Maanum carved Wolfsburg open to set up the first major chance in extra time, picking out substitute Lina Hurtig brilliantly, but Merle Frohms flung an instinctive leg at the shot to keep it out.
The chances continued to fall, though eventually it was a cruel mistake that decided the result. Substitute Brand stole the ball off the otherwise brilliant Wubben-Moy and found the unmarked Bremer, who slid in to decide the tie in Wolfsburg's favour.
The two-time UWCL winners will face Barcelona, who beat Chelsea in the other final four tie, in the final at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven on 3 June.
Arsenal player ratings (3-4-2-1)
GK: Manuela Zinsberger - 6/10 - Perhaps could have got down quicker to Roord's strike. Some good saves but did have some worrying and nervy moments.
CB: Jennifer Beattie - 7/10 - Booked for a clumsy challenge at the start of the second half. Moved up front in search of an equaliser and brilliantly nodded in Wubben-Moy's cross.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy - 7/10 - Survived an early penalty VAR check. Cool and collected on the ball and sent a great cross in for Beattie to head home. Brilliant all game but one poor moment saw her side's European hopes end.
CB: Rafaelle - 6/10 - Some crunching tackles to halt Wolfsburg's momentum. A bit static with her teammates when Popp headed in Wolfsburg second.
RWB: Noelle Maritz - 5/10 - Gave away the free kick before Wolfsburg equalised. Given the runaround by Jonsdottir occasion.
CM: Frida Maanum - 7/10 - Great tenacity as Arsenal enjoyed pressing and harrying their German opponents. Showed some sparkling feet and was her side's major presence in midfield in extra time.
CM: Lia Walti - 6/10 - Played the ball in for Blackstenius to chase and score. Left Roord free on the edge of the box before she netted.
LWB: Steph Catley - 6/10 - Great challenge stopped Huth racing clear just before half time.
RF: Victoria Pelova - 7/10 - Stayed central and then burst forward on the counter to cause Wolfsburg's defenders problems.
LF: Katie McCabe - 7/10 - Work rate and tenacity set the tempo for Arsenal in the first half. Looping cross came back off the bar in extra time.
ST: Stina Blackstenius - 7/10 - Chased down Hendrich before rounding Frohms for the opener. Looked to have netted a second after half time but was chalked off for offside.
Substitutes
Lina Hurtig (64' for Blackstenius) - 6/10
Laura Wienroither (64' for Maritz) - N/A
Kathrine Kuhl (82' for Wienroither) - 5/10
Michelle Agyemang (120' for Beattie) - N/A
Manager
Jonas Eidevall - 7/10 - Undeniably hamstrung by injuries elsewhere in his squad but still got a wonderfully industrious performance here.
Wolfsburg player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Merle Frohms - 6/10 - Should have been clearer with Hendrich before Blackstenius netted. Massive save in extra time to deny Hurtig.
RB: Lynn Wilms - 7/10 - Made a couple of important recovery runs to stop Arsenal counter attacks.
CB: Kathrin-Julia Hendrich - 5/10 - Lack of communication with Frohms proved costly early on. Got better as the game wore on.
CB: Dominique Janssen - 6/10 - A little more composed than her centre back partner.
LB: Felicitas Rauch - 8/10 - A few dangerous deliveries from out wide, including the corner for Popp's header.
CM: Lena Oberdorf - 6/10 - Some awesome passing and long balls from central midfield. Gave away with a few too many fouls and had a running battle with McCabe.
CM: Jill Roord - 8/10 - Brought Popp's header down well to score the equaliser through a crowded penalty box.
RW: Svenja Huth - 6/10 - Heavy challenge on McCabe earned a booking. Great chance to make it 3-1 but dragged her shot wide.
AM: Alexandra Popp - 9/10 - Great awareness to nod into Roord's path to make it 1-1. Too strong to be stopped at the front post to put Wolfsburg ahead.
LW: Sveindis Jane Jonsdottir - 6/10 - Showed awesome pace on the counter, with one spectacular run ending with a Zinsberger save. Exciting but didn't get involved enough.
ST: Ewa Pajor - 6/10 - The leading scorer in the Champions League this season but only got closest when denied by a lung-busting Wubben-Moy tackle before an offside flag was raised.
Substitutes
Tabea Wassmuth (77' for Pajor) - 6/10
Pauline Bremer (90' for Huth) - 7/10
Jule Brand (101' for Jonsdottir) - 8/10
Marina Hegering (106' for Wilms) - 6/10
Rebecka Blomqvist (120' for Roord) N/A
Manager
Tommy Stroot - 7/10 - Greater squad depth eventually got Wolfsburg and Stroot over the line, though an improved performance will be needed in the final against Barça.