ARSENAL STAYED AN extra night in Germany following Sunday’s Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg at Wolfsburg after a “technical issue” with the plane.
The PA news agency understands the take-off process stopped after a noise was heard and the team then waited for a short period on the plane before disembarking to get back on coaches and return to their hotel, with nobody hurt in the incident.
Ireland captain Katie McCabe was among the passengers on board.
A picture published by Bild appeared to show flames emerging from the left engine of the aircraft.
PA understands a bird flew into the left engine just as the plane was about to lift off at full speed on the runway, which caused an engine to catch fire.
A statement from Arsenal said: “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 on board the aircraft and on the ground at the airport for their assistance.”
Arsenal fought back from two goals down in the match to draw 2-2, with the second leg taking place next Monday at the Emirates Stadium. McCabe captained the team in the absence of injured duo Kim Little and Leah Williamson.
Meanwhile, the club has announced that 50,000 tickets have been sold for the Emirates rematch. A sell-out — or a huge record crowd, at least — is on the cards in North London next week.
🤯 50,000 TICKETS SOLD 🤯
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 25, 2023
We're getting closer to a sell-out, Gooners! 👀
Watch a historic @UWCL semi-final at Emirates Stadium ✊
