Arsenal started their Champions League title defence with a 2-1 defeat to eight-time champions Lyon at Meadow Park.
All three objectives had been scored inside an explosive first 23 minutes, as Alessia Russo related with Beth Mead for the sport’s opener earlier than the French aspect hit again twice through Melchie Dumornay.
The Gunners had been masters of their very own downfall, gifting Dumornay the possibility to degree after a sloppy mistake from Daphne van Domselaar. Merely 4 minutes later, a second giveaway by Mariona Caldentey proved equally pricey.
Dumornay’s winner was a elegant hit however one other instance of Arsenal’s carelessness in possession. Lyon, who’ve by no means misplaced on English soil, landed 9 pictures on track to Arsenal’s 5, whereas producing 4 large possibilities – three had been missed.
Renee Slegers’ aspect at the moment are 4 with out victory, having misplaced to Manchester Metropolis of their most up-to-date Girls’s Tremendous League outing. They face Brighton on the Emirates on Sunday earlier than a European journey to Benfica.
The place have Arsenal gone?
Renee Slegers is dialog with the fourth official at Meadow Park
Evaluation by Sky Sports activities’ Laura Hunter:
Contemplating the blistering begin Arsenal made to this new season, it is surprising to see them fall into such a stoop. Far too many errors are resulting in objectives. They’re off the tempo within the WSL and now have floor to make up in Europe too.
Maybe it is unfair to guage too harshly given the calibre of opponent on this newest defeat, nevertheless it’s clear to see the steadiness is off.
It is uncommon for Arsenal to be making fairly this many errors, with lapses everywhere in the park. Lyon’s depth and physicality had been merely no match for a Gunners aspect low on confidence. And so they misplaced the duel depend too, 45-55 in Lyon’s favour, whereas conceding 11 efforts inside their very own field. One thing is not proper.
Renee Slegers was visibly irritated on the touchline – not a glance she wears typically. A number of correction work wanted earlier than a gathering with Brighton in 5 days’ time, who even have sufficient high quality to make the most of this weird Arsenal downturn.
Russo acknowledges ‘blip’
Arsenal ahead Alessia Russo chatting with Disney+: “We need to look at ourselves and how we can push our standards. At the moment we’re in a bit of a blip, but we’re aware of that.
“We’re generally letting groups get assaults on us by our personal errors. We have to take accountability, we have to give attention to what we are able to do to regulate that from everybody, it is all throughout the pitch.
“There were moments that were really positive so we’ll lean on that.”
