Arsenal 'on a mission' - is another special season on the horizon?

Figure caption,

Williamson calls for Arsenal 'intensity' in second leg

When Arsenal look back at their 2025-26 season, they may see the final weekend of April as pivotal.

Twenty-four hours after Manchester City's defeat by Brighton handed them a lifeline in the Women's Super League title race, the Gunners came from behind to beat Lyon 2-1 in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final.

With 90 minutes all that stands between them and a second successive appearance in the final, the climax to another glorious season could be unfolding.

"The first half was quite even - we gave away a cheap goal," captain Leah Williamson told BBC Sport after she afforded Jule Brand too much time and space to score Lyon's early opener.

"But what you saw second half was a team on a mission, fuelled by the crowd."

What a 26,758-strong crowd at Emirates Stadium witnessed on Sunday was a microcosm of Arsenal's season.

Renee Slegers' side looked bright in the very early stages, but slowed as the first half progressed. Too much inconsistency, too many fine details missed.

The Arsenal that emerged for the second half, much like they did after the winter break, looked rejuvenated.

They chased every ball, hassled the Lyon defence, and at every opportunity looked to play Olivia Smith, Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius into space.

"There was a phase in the first half where we wanted more aggression in our press and we had some great solutions at half-time," Slegers said. "That was what we did with conviction in the second half."

That high press caused Lyon to wilt in the north London sunshine; mistakes contributed to both Arsenal goals, while the visitors' all-star attack didn't force Daphne van Domselaar into a single save.

"The second-half display was that of European champions - they stifled Lyon," ex-England defender Anita Asante said.

"They were really deserving of the win and of overturning that record of never beating Lyon in London.

"Slegers deserves a lot of credit. I think the team managed the game very well - they stayed in it and were clinical when it mattered. Other teams should be fearful of playing Arsenal."

Figure caption,

Arsenal capitalise on mistakes to secure first leg win over Lyon

Not only will Arsenal head to France for the second leg with a one-goal advantage, but perhaps also momentum earned from gaining ground in the WSL title race.

Victory against bottom side Leicester City on Wednesday would move them eight points behind league leaders City with four to play, having played two games fewer.

"It's good for the league that it stays exciting until the very end," Slegers said.

"We have a very tight schedule. We want to keep on pressing Man City for as long as it is possible."