Mikel Merino challenges Ousmane Dembele [Richard Callis/SPP]

IF Arsenal’s men’s team are going to make it to Munich at the end of May then they are going to have to summon the strength, spirit and skill of their female counterparts.

Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Parc des Princes on Wednesday trailing Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League semi-final after Ousmane Dembele’s early strike condemned the Gunners to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Emirates this week.

But when it comes to ferocious and unforgettable comebacks in France, Arteta doesn’t have to look too far for inspiration. The club’s women’s team reached the Champions League final for the first time in 18 years on Sunday after staging a remarkable fightback to beat eight-time winners Lyon at the Groupama Stadium.

Revitalised by Christiane Endler’s early own-goal, strikes from Mariona Caldentey, Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord saw Arsenal overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit, winning 4-1 on the night, and sealing a stonking 5-3 victory on aggregate.

The reward for Renee Slegers’ side is a date against holders Barcelona in Lisbon on May 24, when the Gunners will have the opportunity to win their first European trophy since lifting the UEFA Women’s Cup back in 2007 as part of an unprecedented quadruple.

Arsenal celebrate their win in France and booking their place in the final [Pauline Figuet/SPP]

“I’m very happy and proud, but it really is a team performance and especially working in a big organisation like Arsenal and the big staff that we have, the different departments played their roles,” said Slegers.

“We’re really proud to get a spot in the final and we’re looking forward to that, but also there’s a couple of games left in the Women’s Super League and we want to keep the pressure on and win as many points as possible.”

There is certainly no shortage of confidence as the men’s team now look to emulate the women’s achievements and ensure that Arsenal have not one, but two sides bidding for European glory later this month.

Having seen a goal ruled out for offside on Tuesday night, Mikel Merino is already counting down the days until the north Londoners take on Paris Saint-Germain in their own backyard.

“We know we have a really good team, a powerful team, and we are really confident that we’re going to win the second leg,” the midfielder-turned-makeshift-striker told the club’s official website.

“I think people are optimistic. We know that what we showed today is just the beginning of what we are, and obviously really confident, really full of power for the second leg.

“I think what we’ll learn is that we are able to dominate any team, anywhere. This is a team that really wants to be on the ball the whole time, really wants to keep you in your box. Today we proved that we can play against anyone and be the main team on the pitch. Today showed us that we are really capable of performing anywhere. We can’t wait to go to Paris.”

Reflecting on his disallowed goal, Merino added: “It was tough, but those are the margins that we manage in these kinds of games. This is elite football, and a few centimetres can determine your future. So, hopefully in the second leg, those 10 centimetres can go to our side.”