Arsenal v OL Lyonnes: Women’s Champions League – Live

The UEFA Women's Champions League is back, and Arsenal Women are kicking off their campaign against a formidable opponent: Lyon. The match, taking place on October 7, 2025, at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, marks the beginning of a new European journey for the Gunners, who are the defending champions.

Arsenal enters this Champions League season with a different status, shifting from underdog to titleholder after stunning Barcelona in the previous final. However, recent domestic form has been inconsistent, with the team winless in the Barclays Women's Super League for nearly a month. A recent 3-2 defeat to Manchester City highlighted ongoing struggles, particularly in defending set-pieces.

Lyon, on the other hand, has been in excellent form. The French champions have won all four of their Premiere Ligue games, scoring 19 goals and conceding just three. They are unbeaten in all competitions since Arsenal defeated them in the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Team News and Starting Lineups

Renée Slegers, Arsenal's head coach, has confirmed that defender Lotte Wubben-Moy is fit and available for selection, providing a boost to the squad. However, Leah Williamson remains a significant absentee as she continues her recovery from a knee injury, with her return anticipated around Christmas. Slegers has made five changes to the starting XI for tonight's match. Katie Reid will replace Lotte Wubben-Moy at center-back. Taylor Hinds starts at left-back in place of Katie McCabe, and Frida Maanum will take Victoria Pelova's place in midfield. Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead replace Olivia Smith and Caitlin Foord on the wings.

The confirmed lineups are as follows:

• Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar, Fox, Reid, Catley, Hinds, Mariona, Little (C), Maanum, Kelly, Mead, Russo.

  • Substitutes: Zinsberger, Borbe, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe, Nighswonger, Harwood, Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Smith, Foord, Blackstenius.

  • Lyon XI: Endler, Tarciane, Renard (C), Engen, Bacha, Dumornay, Heaps, Shrader, Diani, Katoto, Chawinga.

  • Substitutes: Micah, Junttila Nelhage, Becho, Lawrence, Egurrola, Hegerberg, Sombath, Yohannes, Svava, Benyahia, Brand, Joseph.

Keys to the Match

Arsenal will need to improve their focus against Lyon's aerial power, given their recent struggles defending set pieces. Last season, Arsenal had success against Lyon, winning 4-1 away from home in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals. However, Arsenal has never beaten Lyon at home in their six previous meetings.

New Champions League Format

This season introduces a new format for the Women's Champions League, featuring an 18-team league phase where each team plays six matches. The top four teams will qualify for the quarter-finals, while those placed 5th to 12th will compete in two-legged play-off ties for a spot in the last eight. Teams ranked 13th and below will be eliminated.

Historical Context

Lyon has a strong pedigree in the competition, with eight UEFA Women's Champions League titles, including a record five consecutive titles from 2016 to 2020. Arsenal Women, however, are the current title holders and are looking to retain the trophy.

Match Details

The match is being held at Meadow Park in Borehamwood.