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'We're allowed to feel empty' – Jonas Eidevall reflects on Arsenal’s heartbreaking Women's Champions League exit

Alasdair Mackenzie

Updated 02/05/2023 at 11:22 GMT

Arsenal can feel hurt and empty but also proud at their efforts for reaching a first Women's Champions League semi-final for 10 years, says manager Jonas Eidevall. The Gunners suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 aggregate defeat to Wolfsburg at a packed Emirates on Monday, conceding late in extra-time to be eliminated in painful fashion. Eidevall is now turning his focus back to the WSL.

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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall says his players are "allowed to hurt and feel empty" after a Women’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Wolfsburg, but insisted they should take great pride in their efforts.
The north London club exited the competition in heartbreaking fashion, conceding the winner in the penultimate minute of extra-time to seal a 5-4 aggregate defeat.
Both sides led on a dramatic night at the Emirates before Jennifer Beattie’s 75th-minute strike sent the tie to extra-time, where Pauline Bremer clinched victory in the 119th minute.
"We made it to the Champions League semi-final and lost by the tiniest of margins," said Eidevall.
"With all the injuries we have, with all the challenges we have, I am incredibly proud.
"[We're hurting] quite a bit It's tough. No doubt about it, because it was a game of such fine margins and they're not on our side.
“We're allowed to hurt, we're allowed to feel empty, but we're also allowed to feel proud of our performance and for the occasion with the supporters that are magnificent, so there's a lot of emotions."
Wolfsburg will face Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final after the Spanish side defeated Chelsea 2-1 over two legs.
Arsenal’s attentions now turn back to the Women’s Super League, where they host Leicester City on Friday.
Eidevall’s side are fourth in the standings, nine points behind leaders Manchester United with two games in hand.
“We are in a tough situation on the remainder of the season both to get our feet and heads back from here, but already on Friday we have a really important game against Leicester," Eidevall added.
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