Arsenal surrender two-goal lead as Maeline Mendy penalty earns Paris FC draw
Arsenal let a two-goal Champions League lead disappear in France, drawing after a costly late defensive error gave Maeline Mendy the chance to level from the penalty spot.
Arsenal lose grip after strong opening
Alessia Russo scored her first goal of the campaign and Georgia Stanway added a controlled finish as Renée Slegers’ side took charge of the contest. But Clara Mateo pulled one back for the home team before Arsenal’s advantage vanished in extraordinary circumstances.
Goalkeeper Misa played a pass that Leah Williamson appeared to collect, but the referee ruled the ball was still live. The resulting incident led to a penalty, which Mendy converted to complete the comeback.
It is the second time since the start of last season that Arsenal have failed to win a Champions League match after building a lead of at least two goals.
Turning points
- Russo ended a run of five scoreless appearances by opening her season’s account.
- Stanway’s strike put Arsenal two goals ahead and in a commanding position.
- Mateo reduced the deficit, shifting the momentum after the interval.
- Williamson’s disputed involvement with Misa’s pass produced the decisive penalty, allowing Mendy to make it level.
Russo demands better game management
Russo said Arsenal had begun to lose control well before the penalty incident and admitted the team must handle such moments with greater authority.
“It wasn’t ideal,” she said. “We had lost control of the second half a bit before that. We have to manage the match better, while taking the good periods we had and using them going forward.”
The striker was pleased to get off the mark, saying she had found the small amount of space needed to get her shot away. She also pointed to the work done by the squad and staff after recent concerns over attacking confidence.
Russo said the quality had been evident every day in training and that she never expected the wait for goals to last long. She credited the group’s work behind the scenes and insisted Arsenal will keep pushing.
Manchester City next in WSL test
Arsenal have little time to dwell on the collapse. Their fifth Women’s Super League fixture brings an away meeting with title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, October 4.
- Russo’s goal ended her five-match scoring drought.
- Arsenal led by two before conceding twice.
- The draw exposed concerns over second-half control and defensive discipline.
- The trip to Manchester City is the immediate test of Arsenal’s response.
