Arsenal Women 1 – 2 Lyon Women

Arsenal began their Champions League title defense with a 2-1 defeat of eight-time champions Lyon at Meadow Park.

All three goals were scored within an explosive 23 minutes, with Alessia Russo linking up with Beth Mead for the game’s opener before the French side came back twice through Melchie Dumornay.

The Gunners were masters of their downfall, presenting Dumornay with the chance to level after a sloppy error from Daphne Van Domselaar. Just four minutes later, a second giveaway by Mariona Caldente proved costly.

The Dumornay winner was successful but another example of Arsenal’s negligence in his possession. Lyon, who have never lost on English soil, dropped nine shots on target to Arsenal’s five, while generating four big chances – three were missed.

Renee Slegers’ side are now four without a win, having lost to Manchester City in their last Women’s Super League outing. They face Brighton at the Emirates on Sunday before a European trip to Benfica.

Where did Arsenal go?

Analysis by Sky Sports’ Laura Hunter:

Given that Arsenal are open to starting this new season, it is shocking to see them fall into such a slump. Many mistakes lead to goals. They are off the pace in the WSL and now have ground to make up in Europe as well.

Perhaps it is unfair to judge too harshly given the caliber of the opposition in this latest defeat, but it is clear to see the balance is off.

It is unusual for Arsenal to commit this many errors, turning over all over the park. Lyon’s intensity and physicality were simply no match for a Gunners team low on confidence. They lost the duel number as well, 45-55 in favor of Lyon, while conceding 11 efforts inside their own box. Something’s not right.

Renee Slegers is visibly irritated on the touchline — not a look she wears often. There is a lot of patchwork needed before a meeting with Brighton in five days, who are also good enough to take advantage of this strange slump.

Russo admits to ‘Blip’

Arsenal forward Alicia Russo talk to Disney+: “We need to look at ourselves and how we can push our standards. Right now, we’re in a bit of a rut, but we’re aware of that.

“Sometimes we allow teams to get attacks on us through our mistakes.

“There were moments that were really positive, so we’ll lean into that.”