Two goals in front with less than 20 minutes remaining, Arsenal contrived to drop points in Paris on Wednesday evening, drawing 2-2 with Paris FC in the Women's Champions League league phase. It is the sort of result that will sting — a draw on the road that felt, by full time, very much like a defeat.
How it unfolded
Arsenal broke the deadlock just before half-time when Alessia Russo scored on 40 minutes to give Jonas Eidevall's side a 1-0 lead at the interval. The Gunners then doubled their advantage early in the second half through Georgia Stanway on 50 minutes, and for a long spell it looked as though they would ease to a comfortable away win.
Paris FC, who finished second in the French top tier last season — edging out PSG — had shown they were no pushovers in their opening fixture, taking Barcelona to 5-2 before eventually conceding. They gave Arsenal a reminder of that resilience on 72 minutes when Mateo pulled one back to make it 2-1.
Then came the moment that will haunt Arsenal. A penalty was awarded after Leah Williamson handled the ball — an incident described at the time as a harsh but arguably avoidable decision, with the England captain under no real pressure to use her arm. Maeline Mendy stepped up and converted from the spot on 86 minutes to level at 2-2. Arsenal could not find a winner in the four minutes of added time that followed.
A goal record that raises questions
Before kick-off, Arsenal's scoring record across their five games this season read: one, zero, one, one, zero. That is three goals in five outings — hardly the firepower expected from a club of their stature. Wednesday evening offered some encouragement in the first hour, but the inability to see the game out will concern the coaching staff more than the attacking returns.
Their only other Women's Champions League fixture so far this campaign was a late win over Danish part-timers Køge — a result that flattered to deceive. Paris FC represent a considerably stiffer test, and the two points dropped here carry real weight given what lies ahead in the league phase: both Barcelona and Lyonnes still to come, on top of a demanding domestic schedule.
The wider picture
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Barcelona thrashed Roma 6-0, with Claudia Pina among the scorers, while Juventus beat Häcken 3-0 in Sweden. Chelsea, meanwhile, kicked off their own league-phase fixture against Lyonnes at the Groupama Stadium — a particularly charged occasion given Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor's history with the French club, where she won the competition as both player and manager before moving to England in the summer of 2024.
For Arsenal, the immediate focus shifts to Sunday's WSL fixture against Manchester City, with Russo herself pointing to that game as the next opportunity to build momentum. But there is no escaping it: allowing a two-goal lead to slip against French opposition, in a competition where every point in the league phase matters, is a costly evening's work.
Frequently asked
- What was the Arsenal Women's Champions League result tonight?
- Arsenal drew 2-2 with Paris FC in France on Wednesday 30 September. They led 2-0 before Paris FC scored twice in the final 20 minutes, the equaliser coming from a Mendy penalty in the 86th minute.
- Who scored for Arsenal against Paris FC?
- Alessia Russo opened the scoring on 40 minutes and Georgia Stanway added a second on 50 minutes, giving Arsenal a 2-0 lead before Paris FC fought back.
- How are Arsenal doing in the Women's Champions League league phase?
- Arsenal have one draw from their second league-phase fixture after a win over Danish side Køge in their opener. They still face Barcelona and Lyonnes later in the phase, making every point significant.