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Arsenal overcame a 1-0 deficit against Lyon in the Womenâs Champions League semi-finals, showcasing a dominant performance. They are now on the verge of reaching the Champions League final, needing to avoid defeat in the second leg in France.
Arsenal fell behind to Lyon but turned the game around in a dominant display (Getty)
There is something about the Womenâs Champions League, at this time of year, that kicks Arsenal into life. Trailing a physical Lyon side 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-finals at the Emirates, it was as if they remembered it. It wasnât always convincing, but that is not always Arsenalâs style, either. Turning the tie around, though, and in such commanding style, illustrated a mentality and an ability to solve problems on the ptich that has brought the defending champions to the brink of a return to the Champions League final.
Avoid defeat in France next week and Arsenal will be heading to Oslo to either face Barcelona, in a rematch of last yearâs final, or Bayern Munich. The semi-finals last season was a reminder of how quickly things can change - Arsenal had lost 2-1 to Lyon here at this stage last campaign, only to turn things around with a 4-1 victory away from home - but under Renee Slegers this team exudes the belief of a side who know they can get it done. âYou saw a team on a mission,â said the returning Leah Williamson.
They did not panic after falling behind to Lyon after 19 minutes, as Jule Brand stepped past Kim Little and fired the visitors in front. Arsenal responded with a dominant performance, even if their goals were gifted by Lyon mistakes. Mariona Caldeney and profited from two defensive errors, both involving the experienced goalkeeper . Apart from a Kadiatou Diani shot that crashed against the underside of the bar at 1-1, Lyon offered very little and Arsenal could regret not finishing off their opponents.
Arsenal fell behind early but responded with a commanding performance, capitalizing on defensive errors by Lyon to secure a 4-1 victory.
Arsenal must avoid defeat in the second leg against Lyon to secure their place in the Champions League final.
Mariona Caldeney and Olivia Smith scored for Arsenal, benefiting from mistakes made by Lyon's defense.
Leah Williamson's return provided leadership and confidence to the team, which was evident in their performance against Lyon.
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Caldenteyâs free-kick snuck past goalkeeper Endler and Engen (PA)
It could have been worse for the visitors when Wendie Renard caused Little to crash the ground in the box and the referee Desiree Blanco pointed to the spot. The VAR found the Lyon captain got the slightest touch on the ball, which felt generous. Instead, Lyon repaid Arsenal through other means. First, Caldenteyâs low free-kick from wide snuck past Endler after Stina Blackstenius made the run across the goalkeeper and perhaps unsighted her. Then, a loose backpass from Lindsey Heaps led to Endler and Ingrid Syrstad Engen crashing together. Smith finished into an empty net. Neither moment was pretty but Arsenal did not care.
It is a mystery what happened to Lyon after taking the lead. The French side had started by taking control of midfield. They looked imposing, bigger in height than Arsenal across the pitch, and were sharper to the loose balls. âThey are the most physical team we have played against,â Slegers said. The United States international Lily Yohannes, at 18, appeared as if she could stroll away from Little and Caldentey and was beginning to shape the semi-final. The Germany winger Brand also looked a step ahead, as she eased away from Little to score Lyonâs opening goal. The silence was broken by a ripple from the small pocket of Lyon supporters among the crowd of 26,758.
It is in keeping with Arsenalâs past couple of seasons, however, that a slow start was overturned. They have done it across campaigns and two-legged ties in the Champions League. They are reliably inconsistent - being knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton, following their Champions League quarter-final victory against Chelsea last month, is a microcosm of their ups and downs. Before that second-leg defeat at Stamford Bridge, where they progressed anyway, and the loss against Brighton, they were 11 games unbeaten. There is resilience to respond to their occasional fragility.
Slegers praised her teamâs ability to problem solve as they worked out Lyon (Getty)
Perhaps that explains how Arsenal were able to so convincingly turn the match around. Overall, they had 16 shots to Lyonâs six and had twice as many touches in the opposition box. Lyonâs approach was to be embrace the duels, but once Little and Caldentey started to knock the ball around and interchange passes in midfield there were large spells where Lyon could not get close to them and Arsenal became relentless. âWe got more pressure on the ball and we got more clarity on how we wanted to press. We did that with conviction in the second half,â Slegers said.
Slegers reminded everyone that the tie is only at half-time. The Dutch coach already made her impact at the break, if not before. Lyonâs press and physicality made Arsenal uncomfortable at first, but it was a puzzle they were able to figure out. âThere was some problem solving and that continued at half time,â Slegers said. âYou want the plan to be good from the start but the intelligence we have in the squad, the players seeing it, feeling it, itâs really good.â If Arsenal can match Lyonâs response in the second leg, and Slegers warned it could be another physical âbattleâ in France, then they will be back in the Champions League final.