The Rayo Vallecano players applaud their small but vociferous group of travelling supporters before the game.
On what was always a blustery afternoon, the English weather seemed determined to have its say, but the deluge that engulfed the ground shortly after kick off was probably not the sort of welcome the Spanish team would have appreciated.
The various UEFA flags had been draped over the covered terrace opposite the main stand, and they too faced a battle in the face of the fierce wind.
The visitors were clearly ill at ease with the abysmal early conditions, and Rachel Yankey and Kim Little had both gone close before Arsenal took an 11th minute lead, Rachel Yankey's shot from wide on the right evading a crowd of players and beating keeper Alicia low down at the far post.
The weather did improve, eventually to the point of blue skies, and as it did so Rayo Vallecano started to settle in to the game. They had the best chance in the remainder of the first half, skipper Natalia trying to roll in Adriana for what would have been an easy finish, only to slightly overhit the pass.
Rayo Vallecano again came close early in the second half, Jenni's flick putting Sonia clear, whose shot beat keeper Emma Byrne but rolled just wide. However, Arsenal were starting to build some pressure now, and they levelled the aggregate scores on 61 minutes, Kim Little seeing a shot blocked, with substitute Julie Fleeting, who had been on the pitch little more than a minute, hooking the rebound home.
Latin temperaments were showing signs of fraying, not least captain Natalia who seemed, more often than not, to find herself the one on the wrong end of Jordan Nobbs tremendous work rate and tackling in midfield. The tie now looked there for Arsenal's taking, and after 68 minutes they had the aggregate lead, Kim Little's corner holding up in the wind and Ciara Grant powering in a header.
The Spanish coach took the decision to replace his skipper, and it proved an important move on 78 minutes as substitute Claudia delivered a delightful through ball to release Adriana, and she rounded Emma Byrne and found the net with her shot despite the desperate attempts of two defenders to get back to clear.
Now trailing on the away goals rule Arsenal had to chase the game again, but their chances suffered a massive blow on 82 minutes as, following a half cleared attack, Gilly Flaherty tangled with Anita, and the German referee spotted an alleged stamping offence and issued a straight red card to the England defender.
Despite their numerical disadvantage Arsenal kept pushing forward, and a minute into stoppage time Kim Little delivered the free kick shown in the next photo into the box, Jennifer Beattie won the header, and amidst scenes of pandemonium both on and off the pitch Katie Chapman hooked in from close range to make it 4-1 on the day and 4-3 on aggregate.
There was still time for Rayo Vallecano to launch a couple of desperate attacks, but Arsenal held out, and were fully entitled to their celebrations at the end of a tremendous game that will live long in the memory for the 250 or so spectators that were fortunate enough to be here to see it.
