Women’s Champions League Insights: Arsenal Faces Challenges After Lyon Loss
Alessia Russo recently acknowledged that Arsenal is currently experiencing a rough patch following their 2-1 defeat to OL Lyonnes in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
On October 9, 2025, fans witnessed several thrilling matchups during the opening round of this season’s tournament, revealing much about the teams involved.
The UWCL standings appeared dominated by Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Real Madrid, all of whom secured impressive victories to kick off their campaigns. This positions them well in the ongoing competition.
In contrast, Manchester United broke ranks as the sole team from the Women’s Super League to claim three points on Matchday One. They managed a narrow victory against Vålerenga, winning 1-0 through a penalty. Meanwhile, Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw with Twente, and Arsenal faced embarrassment with their loss to Lyonnes.
Our writers, Emily Keogh, Julien Laurens, and Sam Marsden, have shared their insights on the unfolding events in the tournament.
– Explore how the new Women’s Champions League format unfolds
– Not sure which UWCL team to back? ESPN has you covered
Marsden’s Take: Concerns are rising regarding the underperforming teams from the Women’s Super League. Chelsea, given their financial muscle, should not be dropping points against Twente. While Manchester United managed a narrow win, they will need to elevate their performance for the crucial match against Atlético coming up. Arsenal’s recent run of four matches without a victory is alarming, considering their status as European champions. Though it is still early in the tournament, the expectations for what is typically viewed as Europe’s top league remain high.
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