The Australian character in the famous London club’s dressing room has been apparent all season, but fans’ expectations in the league were not met. The month of May offered one final hope for success, a season-defining European cup final. And on a memorable day last week, a snatch-and-grab 1-0 win delivered silverware, the first time the club had won the competition in almost two decades.
But this has nothing to do with Ange Postecoglou or Tottenham. The achievement of Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross and their Arsenal teammates to defeat standard-bearers Barcelona in the final of the Women’s Champions League on Sunday is monumental within the history of Australian football, and a much-needed boost for the Matildas.