At 1-0 down, it was always going to an enormous task for Arsenal to square things up in their Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester United tonight, but fielding their women's team was never going to be enough, and so it proved.
United immediately stormed into a two-goal lead through strikes by Park and Cristiano Ronaldo in the first 11 minutes, and from that point on, there was no way back for the brave Gunners girls.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger kept faith with the same team that emerged victorious from the women's FA Cup final win against Sunderland yesterday, but the strain was too much, and those two quick strikes were their undoing.
Ronaldo scored again in the second half, and although Arsenal did get one back with a harsh penalty, United held on at 3-1, and it will be they who will be in Rome to defend their title against either Barcelona or Chelsea Ladies on 27 May.
