Thousands gather outside the stadium

ARSENAL’s captain fantastic Leah Williamson said “magic delivered” after lifting the Champions League trophy in front of thousands of jubilant Gooners.

The history-making skipper said she had been overwhelmed by the huge turnout outside the Emirates on Monday morning – with some devoted fans arriving as early as 5.30am ahead of the midday event.

The players danced and sang on a stage as fans chanted and waved scarves while bursts of red and white confetti filled the air.

North Londoners and long-time Arsenal fans, Tiffany, Charmaine, Lynne and Karen are here to show their support for the women’s team in Lisbon [Catherine Etoe]

“We knew this would be a special day, but this is one of those moments I will tell my grandchildren about,” said Williamson, who was a mascot when the team last won the trophy in 2007.

“I’ve been educated my whole life, and seen with my own two eyes, how successful Arsenal have been – especially Arsenal women. So to be a part of this, is very special.”

[João Bravo/SPP]

She added: “There’s a lot of pressure when you are trying to live up to the standard Arsenal set. My club, my Arsenal. Champions League winners.”

Also on stage at the event was Alex Scott – the former Arsenal midfielder who scored a winning goal in the UEFA Women’s Cup Final in 2007, the previous name for the Champions League.

Williamson said she had lunch with her old friend in the build-up to the game: “I told her we would do it. I’d been saying the whole time, do you believe in magic?,” she said. “Because I could feel it would happen against Lyon. I knew it would happen in the final. Yeah – magic delivered.”

She added: “It’s a difficult task to defend against Barcelona. You are watching on TV and probably a few of you were nervous. But imagine being on the other side of that. It was a bit of an onslaught from them at times.”

Hannah Dumble

The trophy was brought in and presented to the team by Daisy Martin, 11, and Celine Davie, seven, who are members of the Arsenal in the Community social inclusion scheme.

There were also tributes to Maria Petri, a legend­ary Arsenal fan who followed the men’s and women’s teams home and away for more than 70 years, who died in 2022.

Mayor Jason Jackson and Gunners fan council leader Una O’Halloran also joined the fun.

Freedom of the borough?

Council leader Una ‘The Gooner’ O’Halloran with Mayor Jason Jackson

IT’S over to you Islington Council!

When the Arsenal women’s team won the biggest prize in Europe in 2007, the team was granted the rare honour of being handed ‘the freedom of the borough’ at the Town Hall.

Will their 2025 counterparts now be bestowed the same honour to mark the fabulous achievememnt?

Council leader Una ‘The Gooner’ O’Halloran was in her Arsenal kit for the celebrations at the stadium on Monday.