\n<\/p>\n
Slegers described an “unbelievable performance” in the second leg because of the fightback Arsenal knew Chelsea would give.<\/p>\n
Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar returned to the starting XI and put in a stunning performance, denying Sam Kerr on several occasions in the second half.<\/p>\n
England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy was a rock at the back in the absence of Leah Williamson and Arsenal were not shaken when fellow centre-half Steph Catley went off with a calf injury at the end of the first half.<\/p>\n
In-form striker Alessia Russo was full of tricks and flicks. The England international usually keeps touches on the ball to a minimum but she did what it took to escape tricky situations when pressure was building. <\/p>\n
Slegers said her team were prepared to “suffer” in order to get what they wanted and it paid off in the end.<\/p>\n
“It’s suffering for something you love. I think that’s what the team did really well. They were prepared for a difficult scenario and for momentum shifts,” she added.<\/p>\n
“In the first 15 minutes, potentially at the end of the game when things changed again, they just stayed in the ‘controlled middle’, as we call it. <\/p>\n
“They stayed in the game and were constantly in control of whatever scenario or momentum swing. They did their job. Mentally we were in control.<\/p>\n
“Of course, we wanted to stop them getting chances and in an ideal world there are no shots but it was two really good teams going against each other.”<\/p>\n
Former England captain Steph Houghton said Arsenal were “better in big moments” and deserved to progress on the balance of the tie.<\/p>\n
Brighton forward Fran Kirby added: “Arsenal allowed Chelsea to have the ball, they were comfortable in their block and defensively worked really hard.<\/p>\n
“With the opportunities that they had, they could even have gone on and won the game, so they will be really proud of the performance.<\/p>\n
“It showed a different side to Arsenal. It showed what they can do when they have to defend.”<\/p>\n
Arsenal will hope to book their place in the final when they take on the winner between Lyon and Wolfsburg – who play each other on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The final takes place on 23 May in Oslo, Norway.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n