Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City reveal shortcomings as Women's Champions League restarts
September 24, 2026 17:50
The Women's Champions League returned this week and England's leading entrants produced mixed openings. Arsenal and Chelsea both claimed narrow home wins, while Manchester City recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Bayern Munich. By contrast, Barcelona and Lyon started with emphatic victories — Barcelona winning 5-2 and Lyon routing Servette 8-0.
EARLY CONCERNS FOR ENGLISH CLUBS
Arsenal's performance looked underwhelming despite the win. The Gunners have two goals and five points from three domestic matches this season and required a 95th-minute penalty to beat HB Køge. Manager Renée Slegers made numerous changes, including resting Alessia Russo, and the side managed only two shots on target against the visitors. Arsenal’s expected-goals figure of 1.93 did not translate into clear chances or clinical finishing.
Chelsea produced encouraging attacking flashes but also showed worrying fragility. A superb strike from Wieke Kaptein secured victory on the opening night. Summer signing Melvine Malard impressed in a planned 45-minute appearance and Alyssa Thompson stood out on the wing with Ellie Carpenter operating behind her. However, Chelsea ceded control of midfield after an early substitution of Keira Walsh and were missing injured captain Erin Cuthbert. Austria Vienna hit the post, had more shots and could easily have taken a point, underlining the Blues’ potential vulnerability.
Manchester City's return to Europe carried fresh tests after they used last season's absence from continental competition to win the Women's Super League. Bayern raced into a two-goal lead, but City fought back to draw 2-2. Summer signings Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser scored their first goals for the club in the match; regular scorer Khadija Shaw missed a penalty.
KEY CONTEXT
- Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all declared ambitions of challenging for the Champions League title.
- Barcelona and Lyon, last season's finalists, opened with commanding scorelines — Lyon winning 8-0 at Servette and Barcelona overturning a deficit to win 5-2 at home.
WHY IT MATTERS
The opening fixtures have highlighted areas each English club must address if they are to compete with Europe's elite. Arsenal's finishing, Chelsea's midfield control without key players, and City's need for consistency against top opposition were all exposed this week. Meanwhile, Barcelona and Lyon’s strong starts set a high benchmark.