Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has said Manchester United produced “two magic moments” to beat his side 3-2 on Sunday.
The Gunners saw their unbeaten record at the Emirates come to an end, after Matheus Cunha struck a late winner.
Matheus Cunha scored the winner against Arsenal, after Mikel Merino appeared to have earned a point for the Gunners.
Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo had scored to give United the lead after a Lisandro Martinez own goal.
“We were really dominate in the first 30 minutes and we scored then we gave them the goal and that transformed the momentum and energy,” Arteta told Sky Sports.
“After that we dropped the standard with the ball, then they had two magic moments with the goals they scored and in big games you need these moments.
“We were carrying that negativity but when we got it for 2-2 and you feel ‘game on’. But then one long ball, one pass and Cunha scores so it’s a very painful one.”
The inaugural FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will make history by offering record prize money, with the eventual champions set to earn $2.3 million, the highest single payout in women’s club football.
FIFA disclosed in a statement on its official X handle on Friday that the runners-up at the final, scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Arsenal Stadium, London, will receive $1 million.
Clubs eliminated at the semi-final stage will earn $200,000 each, while Auckland United FC of New Zealand and Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC of China, who exited in the opening round, will take home $100,000 apiece. In total, nearly $4 million will be distributed among the six participating clubs.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said the prize structure underscored FIFA’s confidence in the growth of women’s club football.
“A total payout of close to $4 million distributed among the six participants based on their performance is a clear statement of belief in women’s club football,” Grafström said, adding that the investment reflects FIFA’s commitment to strengthening the women’s game globally.
