Arsenal dropped points in the Champions League on Tuesday night and their loss meant they haven’t won now in four games – so where is it all going wrong for Arsenal?
Lyon beat Arsenal in Europe curtain raiser
After a bleak run of form in the league, Arsenal couldn’t have faced a much tougher opposition in their Champions League opener.
Lyon are eight-time European champions and even away from home they proved just how good they are.
The Gunners got off to a quick start at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo scoring after just seven minutes.
Russo is a nominee for WSL player of the month and has been a bright spark for her club during a tough time, but her goal was cancelled out almost immediately.
Lyon midfielder Melchie Dumornay netted a quick brace 10 minutes later and the French side were able to hold on for a win.
Melchie Dumornay is cooking Arsenal 😮#UWCL pic.twitter.com/MOhiH9fIuw
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) October 7, 2025
The loss for Arsenal in their first Champions League game this year wouldn’t be that bad considering their opponents, but this isn’t the first time they’ve faltered against a big team recently.
Arsenal struggling against top teams
In the WSL, Arsenal have played two of last year’s top four so far.
The Gunners failed to win against both Manchester United and Manchester City leaving them in a tricky spot.
A 0-0 draw against United felt like their first real loss of the season. Despite their squad depth and dominance throughout the game Arsenal never looked like breaking the deadlock.
Before playing City the North London club drew 1-1 against Aston Villa, in a game that Villa boss Natalia Arroyo never doubted her squad in.
With lower clubs confident of getting points against Arsenal no matter what, it feels like they have lost their edge from last season.
Renee Slegers’ side lost their first game of the season last weekend in a five goal thriller against City. The loss dropped Arsenal to fifth in the WSL.
Here’s how the #BarclaysWSL table looks after game week five 👀 pic.twitter.com/WarQneCaRb
— Barclays Women’s Super League (@BarclaysWSL) October 5, 2025
Although they fought back with two equalisers, Arsenal never looked likely to win the game and City were fully in control when they won with just two minutes left to play.
What next for Arsenal?
A loss in the Champions League isn’t the end of the world, as Arsenal still have seven games to play in the group as they look to defend their title.
The WSL is a completely different proposition however. After dropping points three league games in a row, Slegers’ team is now five points adrift from Chelsea at the top of the table.
Alessia Russo claimed after their latest loss that her team are just facing a ‘blip’ in form right now, and they don’t have long to wait to prove the doubters wrong.
The Gunners face Brighton at home on Sunday where they will be keen to get their first win since the beginning of September.
If Arsenal were to drop points at home again this weekend then their title race could already be over, with both City and United maintaining pace with Chelsea at the top of the table.
