Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League defence charge did not start as they would have liked, despite a promising start going 1-0 up through Alessia Russo in the opening minutes.
However, the visitors came back, scoring two goals in quick succession, a brace for Melchie Dumornay, and enough to give them the win.
This marks the fourth consecutive game in all competitions where Arsenal have dropped points, not something they’re used to under Renée Slegers, who discussed what these bad runs of form are like.
Discussed Arsenal Women's defeats to Lyon and Man City, the poor run of form and what we would change on this week's @GoonerFanzine podcast with @daisygh02 and @isobelgilligan ??https://t.co/YQXsmV03Jm
— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) October 8, 2025
She said: “I’ve been through this, as a manager, as a player, so you build up experience.
“We’ve always said, we know this team went through hard times last year as well but then we ended the season on a high with an amazing achievement.
“What will take us forward in the process is staying grounded, never too high, never too low, and people staying in the present.”
“Worried is not the right word, of course we’re not happy with it and the important thing is that we manage that well and give direction moving forward.
“We have a strong foundation, both from a cultural perspective and from a football perspective.
“It’s about reinforcing the things we are doing well and finding the right balance of challenging other things together.
“We’re critical, but we’re also very supportive and positive, moving forward with a shared purpose, and that’s together, finding our highest level.”
Lyon’s goals came from two stark defensive errors from Arsenal, and Slegers spoke about what she takes from those moments.
She said: “Errors happen from time to time, but if it’s trending in the wrong direction, if they happen too often, then of course there’s something there.
“It looks silly from the outside, but it’s not that all of a sudden they can’t pass that ball anymore, so there’s different things behind it.”
“Whether it’s mental, physical, technical, tactical, we’re trained with all those things, if we find one or two things, then we’re sure the rest can be lifted.”
