Arsenal suffered a shocking 2-1 loss to Olympique Lyon in their UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg on Saturday.
The French visitors dominated proceedings at the Emirates Stadium with Kadidiatou Diani giving them an early lead in the 12th minute.
Diani’s goal separated the two teams for the majority of the encounter until Mariona Caldentey scored the equaliser for Arsenal from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.
Caldentey stepped up to the spot after the VAR ruled that Leah Williamson was punched by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler in a corner-kick situation.
The Gunners thought they had the game under the control for the final minutes but Lyon fought back with Melchie Dumornay netting the winning goal for a crucial first-leg advantage.
Lyon now have their eyes set on back-to-back final games in the Women’s Champions League while Arsenal will be hoping to repeat a dramatic comeback performance they displayed against Real Madrid in the quarter-final.
Form comparison: Arsenal vs Lyon
Lyon have been unbeatable in all competitions this season and their last defeat dates back to May 2024 when they suffered a 2-0 loss to Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.
They lead the French women’s top-flight with 56 points from 20 games, eight points above second-places PSG and they hold a massive +81 goals.
Arsenal, on the other hand, surrended their four-game winning streak against Lyon on Saturday.
They are second in the Women’s Super League table with 45 points from 16 games, three points behind leaders Chelsea.
What next for Arsenal
Arsenal find both their women and men’s teams in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League this season but they women will need to finish their job against Lyon on April 27 before Mikel Arteta’s men face another French heavyweights, Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal are scheduled to welcome PSG in North London on April 29 before taking a trip to Parc des Princes the following week, May 7.
Renee Slegers’ women are hunting for their second UWCL title in history since their maiden success in the 2006-07 campaign while their male counterpart are yet to taste success on the European stage and are charging for a final berth for a second time since the 2005-06 season.
