Advantage Lyon after Dumornay bursts Arsenal bubble in Women’s Champions League semi

Arsenal Women 1 Lyon Féminin 2

Arsenal’s bid for Champions League glory is hanging in the balance after they succumbed to a narrow first-leg defeat by eight-time winners Lyon.

It had looked as if Mariona Caldentey’s 78th-minute penalty was going to earn them a crucial draw to take to France next week after Kadidiatou Diani had put Lyon ahead in the first half. But the score was level for just four minutes before Melchie Dumornay restored their one-goal advantage.

Arsenal are still very much in the tie and will feel they should have come away with something, given the chances created.

Frida Maanum and Beth Mead were both guilty of wasting opportunities in front of goal while Lyon were clinical, which proved to be the difference. The worry for Arsenal going into the second leg is they looked constantly vulnerable to Lyon’s pace on the counter-attack.

Arsenal’s defensive line was caught out of position for both goals and Lyon will likely look to exploit that in the return game.

Diani put Lyon ahead after 17 minutes after her goal was originally ruled out for offside by the assistant referee. Replays showed the arm of Emily Fox was playing the forward onside and the goal was given following a VAR review.

Maanum should have levelled the score before half-time while Russo hit the bar from close-range. There was then a great chance for Mead before Maanum again missed from inside the box. But Arsenal did find a leveller when they were awarded a penalty.

Lyon goalkeeper Christine Endler attempted to punch the ball at a corner but missed and instead made contact with Leah Williamson’s head. Referee Alina Pesu did not originally give the spot-kick but changed her mind after being sent to the pitch-side monitor to review. Caldentey stepped up to score but Dumornay won the game following a fine Lyon move in the 82nd minute.

Match details

Arsenal Women: Zinsberger, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Little, Maanum (Blackstenius, 62), Caldentey, Mead (Kelly, 62), Russo (Pelova, 83), Foord (Wälti, 84).
Substitutes not used: Williams, Kafaji, Ilestedt, Cooney-Cross, Reid, Nighswonger.
Booked: Little (55), Foord (3).
Goal: Caldentey (78 pen).
Lyon Féminin: Endler, Carpenter, Gilles, Sombath, Bacha (Svava, 90+3), Horan, Egurrola, Van de Donk (Majri, 67), Diani (Bècho, 90+3), Dumornay, Chawinga (Hegerberg, 79).
Substitutes not used: Benkarth, Huerta, Renard, Junttila-Nelhage, Däbritz, Le Sommer, Marozsan, Tarciane Karen.
Booked: Endler (76).
Goals: Diani (17), Dumornay (82).
Referee: Alina Pesu (Romania).

03:03 PM BST

Thanks for joining us

That brings our coverage of Lyon’s first leg victory over Arsenal to an end. Thanks for joining us!

02:59 PM BST

‘It’s only half-time’ says Slegers

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers told DAZN: “We started to play our game in the second half and we dominated and there was a really good phase. We worked really hard to get that goal so we are really disappointed with the loss and the goal we conceded after that.

“We knew it was going to be hard because they have so much quality but then when you work really hard, you want more than this.

“But we know its only half-time and they are leading with one goal and we have next week ahead of us.

“We create chances and get numbers in the box, we just couldn’t get the ball in the net.

“We are not going to change those things in a week. We have been really good with our clinical finishing before. I trust the team that we can score those goals from those opportunities. We definitely want to do better and we look forward to next week.”

02:54 PM BST

Mariona confident of comeback

Arsenal goalscorer Mariona Caldentey told DAZN: “We wanted to win in front of our fans, we wanted a better result. It’s one goal and it’s 90 minutes so we are alive and we will have our chances, we just need to take them. 

“We need to work hard this week and play better but it’s one goal in 90 minutes and we are still here.

“They feel comfy playing that game. They are experienced players, they are so quick and so dangerous in counter attacks. We dominated in a lot of moments but we need to be more clinical in front of goal.

“I think normally we do take our chances but of course this team is a top team so it’s not that easy.”

“We need to keep believing and we will go for it, I think we can do it. It’s just one goal.”

02:52 PM BST

Russo has ‘full belief’ in turnaround

Speaking to DAZN, Arsenal striker Alessia Russo said: “We were just saying then as a team we had some really good spells but they are very clinical up top. 

“We will reflect on it. It was a tough game and a big performance but it is all to play for next week.

“The higher you go in competitions it really is fine margins.

 “Disappointed, but I have full belief that we will go out and do the job on Sunday.”

On Kim Little’s performance, she said: “She’s amazing. First and foremost she’s a great person, great leader and she leads by example, I think you can see that on the pitch how she carries herself, how she works hard. She’s fantastic to play with.”

02:49 PM BST

Lyon chasing number nine

A reminder that Lyon will be looking for a record-extending ninth Champions League title should they hold off Arsenal’s efforts of a turnaround next Sunday.

They will be looking to go one better than last year when they were beaten in the final by Barcelona, who they may well face again this season.

02:46 PM BST

‘Biggest difference is Arsenal weren’t clinical’, says Asante

Former England and Arsenal defender Anita Asante on TNT Sports: “Arsenal dominated the ball. The biggest difference is they weren’t clinical. A lot of their own defensive errors led to Lyon being able to capitalise and score.”

02:43 PM BST

Four-minute rollercoaster

Arsenal drew level with a second-half penalty from Mariona Caldentey but fell behind once again just four minutes later as Dumornay restored Lyon’s lead.

02:40 PM BST

‘To be so naive is frustrating’, says Willliams

Former England midfielder Fara Williams on TNT Sports: “In the second half the momentum swung massively, Arsenal got themselves back in the game with a penalty but then to be so naïve to give away a goal in the way they did is quite frustrating.”

02:37 PM BST

Post-match debrief

02:33 PM BST

‘Arsenal will have confidence for second leg’, says Beattie

Former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie on TNT Sports: “Arsenal will take a lot of positives from today, they created chances, got a goal.

“Lyon just showed that extra bit of quality in key areas of the pitch but Arsenal will be confident knowing they can create chances.”

02:31 PM BST

The other semi-final

The other semi-final sees Chelsea take on Barcelona with the first leg taking in place in Spain tomorrow at 5pm.

The second leg of that one will also take place next Sunday but before Arsenal’s return tie, meaning Slegers’ side will know their potential opponents as they look to overturn their deficit. 

02:29 PM BST

The second leg

The second leg will take place at Parc Olympique Lyonnais next Sunday, 27 April at 5pm.

02:25 PM BST

Full time: Arsenal 1 Lyon 2

Lyon are able to run the clock down as they take it to the corner. An offside is given and Arsenal have one last chance to bring it forward. Little looks for Blackstenius over the top but Endler comes out well to head clear.

That is the final moment of the game as the full-time whistle blows and Lyon will take a 2-1 lead into next weekend’s second leg.

02:22 PM BST

90+3 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 2

Pelova has it pinched in midfield and Lyon can break. Dumornay is slid into the box but Zinsberger is off her line well and throws herself at the feet of the forward to claim the ball. 

There will be a couple more Lyon changes now as they look to run the clock down with Diani and Bacha replaced by Becho and Svava. 

02:19 PM BST

90+1 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 2

Fox is found high up on the right but Dumornay does her defensive duties to pinch it off her and send Lyon on their way.

Lyon are looking for a third and Diani picks the ball up in the right of the box but her low cross is parried away by Zinsberger before Arsenal clear.

There will be five minutes added on here. 

02:15 PM BST

87 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 2

And just like that, Lyon are back in front. Arsenal have looked dangerous to the Lyon counter all game and once again the defence is out-paced. So frustrating for Renee Slegers.

02:14 PM BST

85 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 2

Slegers responds with a double change as Pelova and Walto replace Russo and Foord. Can Arsenal find a way to get back level again? 

02:12 PM BST

GOAL! Dumornay restores Lyon’s lead

Arsenal 1 Lyon 2 (Dumornay) What a blow that is for Arsenal, just after going level they are behind again.

Lyon put together a lovely one-touch move and Dumornay is found on the edge of the box by a clever ball from Majri as she makes the darting run inside from the left.

She takes the ball on, driving between Fox and Catley into the area, before tucking home past Zinsberger. The Emirates is silenced once again.

02:10 PM BST

82 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1

Foord looks to dart between a pair of Lyon defenders on the edge of the box. She gets chopped down but the foul isn’t given. It wasn’t quite in the box so it won’t be checked.

Arsenal come again though and Kelly is found in the right of the box but blazes over as she opts to go alone. 

02:09 PM BST

80 mins: Arsenal 1 Lyon 1

Well I said she’d been quiet but Mariona was the coolest person in the Emirates when she scored that penalty. Arsenal back in it!

02:07 PM BST

GOAL! Mariona Caldentey equalises from the spot

Arsenal 1 Lyon 1 (Mariona Caldentey) It’s Mariona Caldentey who steps up and she strokes home into the bottom right corner, sending Endler the wrong way.

Arsenal are level and deservedly so! Can they go on to win it now? 

02:06 PM BST

Penalty given! Arsenal awarded spot-kick for foul by Endler

Arsenal 0 Lyon 1 Arsenal win another corner down their right and the crowd respond. Blackstenius gets her head to the delivery but glances wide of the vacant goal with Endler coming out to punch.

There is a VAR check though for a potential penalty and the referee is being sent to the monitor! What is this for?

They are checking for whether Endler caught the head of Williamson as she looked to punch clear and the penalty is given!

02:01 PM BST

74 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Arsenal could do with Mariona a bit higher up the pitch. I wonder if Slegers may take Foord, who is on a yellow card and walking a tightrope, off and push Mariona further forward. She is Arsenal’s most creative player but hasn’t been able to get on the ball much today. 

02:00 PM BST

72 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

McCabe wins the foul down Arsenal’s left but Endler does superbly to claim the full-back’s delivery in a crowded penalty area.

Lyon look to counter but Fox shows her pace to sweep up effectively.

01:57 PM BST

69 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Another chance goes begging for Arsenal as Endler misses her punch from an inswinging corner, but Williamson cannot find the target at the back post. 

A change now too for Lyon as Majri comes on for Van de Donk. 

01:54 PM BST

67 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Two good chances for Arsenal in this second half. Mead missed the first, Maanum has missed the second. You have to think that Russo would have finished one of them. Kelly and Blackstenius are now on for the two players who missed those chances. 

01:54 PM BST

65 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Those were the final actions for Mead and Maanum as they make way for  Kelly and Blackstenius. The pair receive a huge cheer.

Blackstenius is almost instantly involved in a goal as Endler makes a horrible error gifting the substitute the ball as she looks to play out. She looks to feed Russo but gets the pass wrong. Could she have shot?

01:51 PM BST

62 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Diani dances into the right of the box and reaches the byline but her cross towards the back stick is headed away by Fox. 

Oh it’s another massive Arsenal chance. Caldentey’s cross finds the head of Mead at the back post and she nods it back across goal. She finds Maanum but her header glances wide of the left post. It was almost identical to her chance in the first half.

I think the flag may have gone up with Mead in an offside position but Maanum wasn’t to know. 

01:47 PM BST

59 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Heaps opts to shoot from the free-kick about 30 yards out but Zinsberger is able to gather the curled attempt. 

Down the other end and Maanum swings in a sensational cross from the right. It picks out Mead who had come inside from the wing but she sends her diving header over the bar. That was another big chance! 

01:45 PM BST

57 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Little is caught out in possession as Arsenal look to play out and she gives away the foul for slicing down Heaps who had pounced. The Arsenal midfielder goes into the book. 

Dumornay is down after a strong tackle from Catley moments before and there will be a brief pause before the free-kick is taken as she receives treatment. 

01:42 PM BST

54 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

McCabe’s high, floated delivery to the back post is headed clear by Egurrola but Arsenal keep the move alive.

Maanum takes aim once again from the edge of the box and her effort deflects into the path of Foord. She looks to prod home but is smothered by Endler before Russo’s follow-up effort is cleared off the line. 

Lyon can counter though and Dumornay wins the corner as Catley cuts out the cross into the box. End-to-end stuff now! 

01:39 PM BST

51 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Mead picks it up in a promising position down Arsenal’s right but Chawinga comes out on top and can bring it away for Lyon.

Moments later though and Fox wins the corner down that right flank and the Emirates responds with a roar.

01:37 PM BST

48 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Arsenal start the second period on the front foot, pressing Lyon well high up the pitch but it is all a bit scrappy.

They will be hoping to get their players of quality on the ball a bit more in this second 45.

01:33 PM BST

46 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

We are back underway at the Emirates with the visitors kicking things off going from left to right. Can Arsenal get themselves level ahead of next week’s second leg? 

01:31 PM BST

‘Lyon more dangerous’, says Asante

Former England and Arsenal defender Anita Asante on TNT Sports: “Arsenal have had slightly more possession but Lyon have looked more dangerous when going forward.”

01:28 PM BST

The difference-maker

01:26 PM BST

Should Arsenal have had a spot-kick?

Discussing the late penalty shout for the home side on TNT Sports, former Arsenal defender Jen Beattie said: “That challenge was similar to the foul on Beth Mead outside the box. I don’t know what the difference is?”

01:22 PM BST

Half-time verdict: Lyon deservedly ahead but Arsenal have had chances

Lyon deserve their lead as they’ve caused Arsenal a lot of problems going forward. Diani with a superb strike after some questionable defending from the hosts. 

Arsenal could have got back into it twice, though. Maanum sent a close-range header wide before Russo hit the bar from a set-piece. 

The hosts started to come back into it just before half-time but look very susceptible to Lyon’s quick counter-attacks. They need a big second half as they won’t want to go to Lyon with a score to overturn.

01:19 PM BST

Half-time: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

The half-time whistle is blown and it’s Lyon who have the lead at the break.

Diani opened the scoring for the visitors after Van de Donk had squandered a golden opportunity to give them the lead from close range.

Maanum then missed a great chance for Arsenal, heading wide from a couple of yards out, before both sides struck the bar. 

All to play for! 

01:18 PM BST

45+1 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Mead adjusts the angle for McCabe who delivers a superb inswinging ball into the box. It picks out Russo who sends a looping header back towards the top right corner but it strikes the top of the bar. 

The Arsenal players then want a penalty as McCabe is barged to the floor, in a similar way Mead had been moments before, but play is waved on. 

01:16 PM BST

45 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Foord does well to force the mistake and win the ball high up for Arsenal but she is rather harshly penalised as she then slides into a challenge. 

Moments later and Lyon are struggling to clear the ball from the corner before Van de Donk barges into Mead, giving away the foul in a dangerous position.

01:13 PM BST

42 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Arsenal go short from the corner again, this time down their right, and it leads to another corner from the same side as Mead’s ball into the box is cut out.

They send this one straight into the box and while Lyon win the initial ball, Arsenal earn themselves yet another corner but on the left this time. The ball is worked to Fox on the edge of the box but her strike is charged down by Heaps. 

01:10 PM BST

39 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Arsenal win the corner down their left and go short with it but Mead’s eventual ball into the box has a bit too much on it and Catley can’t get enough on the header to direct it back into the danger zone. 

Dumornay is fed towards the byline down Lyon’s left and looks to break into the box but Williamson makes a perfectly-timed tackle. The Lyon striker leaves a late one on the defender’s ankle – unintentionally – and the hosts have the free-kick.

Williamson looks to be in a bit of pain but will be okay to carry on. 

01:07 PM BST

36 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

That was an audacious effort from Durmonay which nearly came off. She saw Zinsberger off her line and went for the chip, so unlucky to hit the crossbar. Arsenal look vulnerable defensively and are struggling to really test Lyon’s backline. They need to just get to half-time with the score still at 0-1. 

01:06 PM BST

34 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Carpenter is given the space to drive to the edge of the Arsenal box but her effort is blocked well by Catley. 

A couple of moments later and it’s an incredible attempt by Dumornay! As Lyon win it back just inside the Arsenal half, she spots Zinsberger off her line and looks to chip her from about 35 yards out. She strikes it superbly but her effort rattles the bar. The keeper was well beaten. 

01:01 PM BST

30 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

What a chance for the leveller! McCabe’s cross from the left picks out Mead at the back post. The winger nods back across goal and finds the head of Maanum but she glances her effort wide of the left post from close range. 

12:57 PM BST

26 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Arsenal combine nicely as McCabe feeds Foord down the left but her cross into the box is taken off the head of Mead by Egurrola.

Lyon can break and Diani takes on McCabe up down their right before standing a cross up to the back post but Fox is well-positioned to head behind for a corner.

12:54 PM BST

23 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

The Emirates has been silenced by that goal! Arsenal look to respond immediately as they win the corner but the visitors deal with the set piece once again.

Lyon then win a corner of their own down the right. They win the header at the back post but Little is there to head clear before the effort can trouble Zinsberger. 

12:51 PM BST

20 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 1

Confusion at the Emirates. Diani scores but is flagged offside. Suddenly the referee gives the goal, it wasn’t clear it was being checked by VAR. Emily Fox playing her onside it seems. 

12:50 PM BST

GOAL! Diani opens the scoring for Lyon

Arsenal 0 Lyon 1 (Diani) Lyon beat the Arsenal press from a goal-kick andDiani is slipped in behind the home side’s defence. She is able to drive into the right of the box before finishing clinically into the bottom left corner. 

The flag then goes up to cut short the celebrations but VAR overturns the decision and the goal stands! She initially looked way offside but Fox was playing her on, on the near side. 

That’s her sixth goal in the competition this season. 

12:47 PM BST

16 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

Not too many chances for either team so far but Lyon have had the best one. Danielle van de Donk, who of course spent six years with Arsenal, should really have put the visitors ahead early on. 

Manuela Zinsberger pushing Salma Bacha’s shot straight out into the danger zone is something she has been guilty of on many occasions before. Lyon will perhaps think it’s worth testing her more from range.

12:45 PM BST

13 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

A pin-point diagonal ball from Williamson kicks off an Arsenal attack down their left side.

It’s switched out to the right where Mead and Fox combine well but Heaps is there to make the tackle on the right-back as she broke into the box.

12:41 PM BST

10 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

Arsenal pinch it high up the pitch and Maanum takes a pop from the edge of the box. It was speculative but it takes a nick and goes out for an Arsenal corner. 

Van de Donk clears the set piece from the left though.

12:39 PM BST

8 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

What a chance for Lyon! Bacha takes aim from the edge of the box with a low drive and Zinsberger can only parry it into the path of Van de Donk but the midfielder fires wide of the near right post from close range.

A couple of moments later and Dumornay digs out a clear inswinging ball towards the back post but it’s got just too much on it for Diani.

12:37 PM BST

6 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

Diani sends a dangerous ball into the box from the right but Arsenal can clear before McCabe wins the foul.

Lyon can soon find the winger once again in space down their right but, again, Arsenal deal with her ball into the box. 

12:34 PM BST

3 mins: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

It’s a fast start from Arsenal with McCabe picking out Maanum on the edge of the box. The midfielder takes aim but her low effort is straight at Endler. 

Catley then sends Foord into the left channel but her early ball into the box doesn’t work out and Endler can gather. 

12:31 PM BST

1 min: Arsenal 0 Lyon 0

We are underway in the sunshine at the Emirates with Arsenal and Russo kicking things off going from left to right. 

The referee this afternoon is Alina Pesu of Romania. A reminder there is VAR and goal-line technology for this one. 

12:27 PM BST

Kick-off approaching

We are just a couple of minutes away from kick-off at the Emirates with the two sides now emerging from the tunnel. Who will take the advantage into next weekend’s second leg?  The action begins shortly.

12:25 PM BST

Diani the danger

Kadi Diani has been directly involved in nine Champions League goals this season for Lyon. 

12:23 PM BST

Arsenal and Chelsea ‘flying the flag’

With Chelsea taking on Barcelona in the other semi-final, former England midfielder Fara Williams has told TNT Sports: “It’s fantastic that the WSL has two of our top teams [in the semi-finals]. These are the two teams that are flying the flag in the WSL at the minute. 

“These semi-finals are so exciting because these are the four best teams in Europe. I don’t think home or away legs matter.”

12:20 PM BST

40,000 expected at the Emirates

We’re expecting a crowd of around 40,000 here at the Emirates, which is starting to fill up as we approach kick-off. It should be a good atmosphere and Arsenal will need the crowd to get behind them if they are to get a good result. 

12:17 PM BST

‘We remember the 5-1 loss’, says Endler

Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler has said: “We’ve been thinking about Arsenal since the draw. We know it’s going to be a very difficult game; they’re a very competitive team.

“We also remember the result we had [the 5-1 home loss] two seasons ago, which wasn’t positive, so they are going to be a very tough opposition.”

12:14 PM BST

Final preparations

12:11 PM BST

Arsenal scoring under Slegers

Since Renee Slegers took over, Arsenal have scored 80 goals in 27 matches, failing to score in just three games.

They have scored at least four goals on 13 occasions, including in their last seven home games in the WSL.

They have found the back of the net 50 times in Slegers’ 15 WSL games. Leaders Chelsea have 49 goals from all 18 matches in the competition this season.

12:08 PM BST

Slegers previously mentored by Montemurro

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers was previously mentored by Lyon boss Joe Montemurro. It was during Montemurro’s time as Arsenal manager that he took a young Slegers under his wing as part of a UEFA programme.

Slegers praised Montemurro’s humanity and coaching style while the now-Lyon manager said “I must have taught her well” when asked about his former student’s progress. 

“She really has brought back a level of belief in the squad and who they are, it’s a reflection of her,” Montemurro said of Slegers. 

“She’s very confident in what she does. She’s very strategic in how she goes about things. I’m so happy for her, happy she was given the opportunity and took it because it’s a very big job but she seems to be handling it well.” 

12:03 PM BST

Arsenal full of ‘hunger and belief’ says Slegers

Speaking this week, Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said: “There will be an enormous crowd so we’re going to go from the start because we enjoy playing at the Emirates. 

“We know this is our chance and I think 40,000 tickets have been sold.

“We’re at one of the final stages of the Champions League. It’s a huge moment.”

Discussing Lyon, she said: “I have huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League 

“But us playing at the Emirates, and the hunger and the belief that we have at the moment, we’re going to go and play our game to the best we can.

“Even though we have huge respect for their qualities and threats, we believe we can do something.”

12:00 PM BST

Russo will be key over two legs

Alessia Russo is the joint second top scorer in the Champions League this season with six goals. Only Barcelona’s Claudia Pina, who has managed seven, has scored more. This does not include the qualifying stages, where Russo also got a goal. 

She showed in the quarter-final against Real Madrid that she can be a matchwinner and she’s going to be key over these two legs. 

Lyon have so much quality in attack, former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg can only make the bench. Arsenal will need to be solid defensively and take their chances when they come if they are to make a first final since 2007, when they won the competition.

11:57 AM BST

Lyon’s route to the semis

Lyon won all six of their group games, beating Wolfsburg, Roma, and Galatasaray home and away to top their group by nine points.

They took this ruthless form into the quarter-finals, defeating Bayern Munich 6-1 on aggregate to reach the last four for the 14th time in 18 attempts.

11:53 AM BST

Arsenal’s European campaign so far

Arsenal finished top of their Champions League group, above Bayern Munich, Juventus and Valerenga, thanks to five wins from their six fixtures.

They met Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and after a 2-0 defeat away from home in the first leg, they turned the tie on its head with a 3-0 win at the Emirates, as Alessia Russo bagged a brace.

11:48 AM BST

The scene at the Emirates

11:44 AM BST

Lyon’s European pedigree

Lyon have won the Champions League a record eight times, including a run of five consecutive titles between 2016 and 2020.

They have reached the final on three other occasions, most recently in 2024 when they were beaten by Barcelona.

11:40 AM BST

Arsenal impressive under Slegers

Arsenal have won 22 of their 27 matches under Renee Slegers, including a 13-match unbeaten run to begin her reign.

11:36 AM BST

Russo starting a big boost for Arsenal

Alessia Russo is fit to start, which is a big boost for Arsenal. Chloe Kelly on the bench. Wonder if that is due to fitness or if Renee Slegers thinks she can make a difference from the bench if Arsenal need a goal.

Daphne van Domselaar will be a big miss in goal but it’s a chance for Manuela Zinsberger to prove she can be relied upon.

11:32 AM BST

Those teams in full

Arsenal: Zinsbeger; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo. 

Subs: Cooney-Cross, Nighswonger, Ilestedt, Kafaji, Pelova, Reid, Williams, Walti, Blackstenius, Kelly.

Lyon: Endler; Carpenter, Gilles, Sombath, Bacha; Heaps, Egurrola Wienke, Van de Donk; Chawinga, Durmornay, Diani. 

Subs: Svava, Benkarth, Becho, Dabritz, Marozsan, Huerta, Majri, Tarciane, Le Sommer, Juntila-Nelhage, Renard, Hegerberg.

11:28 AM BST

Lyon make three changes

There are three changes to the Lyon team which drew with Paris FC last Saturday, as Joe Montemurro brings in Bacha, Heaps and Dumornay in place of Svava, Marozsan and Le Sommer. 

11:24 AM BST

One change for Arsenal as Russo returns

Renee Slegers has made just one change to the Arsenal team which thrashed Leicester City on Tuesday as Russo returns in place of Blackstenius.

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

🧱 Williamson at the back
🪄 Mariona in the middle
💪 Russo returns to the XI

Let's make it happen, Gunners 👊— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 19, 2025

11:20 AM BST

Kelly and Russo fit to play

After being ruled out of Arsenal’s win over Leicester City on Tuesday due to injuries picked up on international duty, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo are both fit to play this afternoon.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers said this week: “They will be fully available, so that’s great.

“I think both players have been working really, really hard to get to this point together with the medical team. So it’s great, they are available for a lot of minutes tomorrow.”

Russo is Arsenal’s top scorer in Europe this season, scoring six goals in eight games, including a brace in the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who also suffered an injury while on international duty, is not yet available.

However, Slegers suggested she could return for the second leg.

11:15 AM BST

Preview: Montemurro returns as Arsenal host Lyon in semi-final first leg

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the first leg of the Uefa Women’s Champions League quarter-final between Arsenal and Lyon at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal, who are the only English team to win the competition, are targeting a first European title since 2007, but they take on a Lyon side who have won the competition a record eight times.

The French side are in imperious form this time around too, having lost just once in all competitions this season and winning all eight of their games in Europe, scoring 25 goals and conceding just twice in the process. They will be looking to go one better than last year when they were denied a record-extending ninth title, losing out to Barcelona in the final. 

Arsenal have enjoyed a similarly impressive European campaign, though. After being beaten by Bayern Munich in their opening fixture, they went on to win their five remaining group games to top the group before overturning a 2-0 deficit after the first leg against Real Madrid with a 3-0 win at the Emirates to progress to the last four. 

Their 5-1 thrashing of Leicester City on Tuesday saw them continue their impressive domestic form under Renee Slegers, having won their last seven WSL games. Arsenal had claimed just one victory in their opening four league games under Jonas Eidevall, leaving them down in sixth, but following his departure, they have won 13 of their next 15 under Slegers, taking them up to second and just three points shy of leaders Chelsea.

This afternoon’s tie sees Joe Montemurro return to Arsenal as Lyon manager after spending three and a half years as head coach in north London from 2017 to 2021, winning the Women’s League Cup and the Women’s Super League in that time.