Arsenal Women saw their team plane burst into flames on their way back from Champions League semi-final first leg clash against Wolfsburg.
The sad incident happened in a German airport’s runway on the evening of Sunday 23rd April 2023.
The incident was reported to have happened at the Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport after it was confirmed after a bird flew into the engine causing a loud blast.
Arsenal women’s team were immediately evacuated to safety when flames started to come out of the left engine of the Boeing 737.
The Gunners released a statement on Monday confirming they got back to London safely.
The statement from Arsenal read; “Our aircraft developed a technical issue prior to take-off in Germany on Sunday evening.”
“As a result, we remained in Wolfsburg overnight on Sunday before flying back to England on Monday afternoon. We would like to thank the staff onboard the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance.”
Arsenal Women traveled to Germany on Saturday using a Maltese airline and were meant to fly back with the same airline the following day.
The plane however caught fire and the team was forced to switch airlines to return to England on Monday morning.
After they returned from Germany, the Female Gunners are looking to seal their win in the return leg of the Champions League as they earned a 2-2 draw away.
They almost lost in the match as they started poorly, conceding two goals to their German opponents in the first 24 minutes.
Rafaelle Souza restored the hope for the visitors as she pulled one back before halftime and Stina Blackstenius made it 2-2 with 21 minutes remaining.
Arsenal Women’s comeback was positive after they had a difficult week after Manchester United Women beat them in the League.
The game against United saw Leah Williamson pick up a long-term knee injury that has ruled her out of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Gunners will face Wolfsburg in the return leg of the Champions League next Monday at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal Women have been forced to stay an extra night in Germany following their Champions League tie with Wolfsburg due to a technical issue with their plane. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/8JocZORikO
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 24, 2023
Arsenal Women’s Football Club
Arsenal Women Football Club, commonly referred to as Arsenal unless when there’s a need to differentiate from the men’s team, is an English professional women’s football club based in Islington, London, England.
The club plays in the Women’s Super League which is the top tier of English women’s football.
The club was founded in 1987 following an initiative by Vic Akers, who became the club’s first, longest-serving, and most successful manager.
Vic Akers guided the team to success until he left in 2009, winning the most top-flight matches in English football history.
The club have sustained this record, and have won the most doubles and trebles in English football history.
They have also achieved a record seven unbeaten league seasons, setting a number of English records for a longest top-flight unbeaten run, for goals scored, and points won.
Arsenal Women have won 15 league titles, 14 Women’s FA Cups, 6 Women’s League Cups, 10 Women’s National League Cups, 5 Women’s FA Community Shields, and are the only English club to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
