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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jack Lacey-Hatton

Arsenal seal Champions League last eight spot despite Lyon loss and huge injury blow

Arsenal suffered a major injury blow as they were beaten at home by Lyon in the Champions League - although their qualification for the last eight was confirmed.

The holders took the points after an own goal just before half-time from Frida Maanum but the game was overshadowed by what followed moments later. In worrying scenes, the Gunners' in-form Dutch star Vivianne Miedema was stretchered off clearly distressed, with players from both sides looking concerned, after she fell awkwardly stretching for a loose ball.

Arsenal will pray the injury is not too serious, which would be a major blow to the title-chasing Gunners, but they are facing an anxious wait, particularly after losing Beth Mead to an ACL injury only last month. And although the hosts regained their composure and were the better side after the break, they weren't able to find an equaliser.

Jonas Eidevall's team had laid down a major European marker with a 5-1 win in the reverse fixture back in October but this was a much tighter contest. And the Arsenal boss revealed after the game his thoughts were very much with the injured Miedema, although he added it was too early to state exactly how long she would be out for.

"I don't know how bad it is," he said. "I haven't spoken to her or to the doctor. So I don't have any updates but right now that takes a lot of my thoughts.

"I'm very concerned about her of course. We had to stay focused during the game on our performance, but I'm sorry I don't have any update on that situation.

Lyon celebrate after taking the lead (Getty Images)

"During the game we had to remain focused. After the game we are obviously concerned.

"But we are super professional - and don't let anything take our focus away from what we are doing. During the game everyone was 100% professional with what we needed to do."

Despite a tough night, Arsenal can now look forward to a last eight Champions League tie after Christmas. They face Zurich in their final group game next week, knowing a win will see them qualify as Group C winners and potentially avoid some of the European heavyweights in the draw.

"That was important (to qualify)," he said. "Now we need to go to Zurich and win to confirm we will be number one in the group.

"I think we played well today, both in and out of possession. It was an even game and I think we could have gone forward and won the game.

"From a performance perspective I'm happy, from a result perspective I'm disappointed."

The Gunners made two changes from the side that beat Aston Villa in the WSL four days earlier, with Leah Williamson returning to take the captain’s armband alongside Laura Wienroither. And they started on the front foot with full-back Laura Wienroither starting brightly, putting in a succession of dangerous crosses.

The Arsenal XI that started against Lyon at the Emirates Stadium (Getty Images)

But despite controlling much of the first half, they struggled to consistently work Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler. Seconds before the break the French champions had the lead after a goalmouth scramble led to Maanum turning the ball into her own net.

When Arsenal then immediately saw the in-form Miedema stretchered off after a nasty looking fall off the ball, it was suddenly becoming a difficult night. McCabe had a good chance straight after the interval but couldn’t beat Endler at her near post.

Despite a late rally the Gunners couldn't find the equaliser, the returning Lina Hurtig came the closest. Hurtig, introduced as a substitute for her first game in over a month nearly made a dramatic introduction but saw her goal-bound shot blocked after a corner wasn't cleared.

However, due to Arsenal's superior head-to-head record over Lyon, they remain top of Group C. With Lyon and Juventus facing each other on Matchday six, it is not possible for both to overtake the Gunners, who can now look forward to the knock-out stages after Christmas, confirmed with a game to spare.

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