Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by defending champions Lyon in the Women's Champions League but still qualified for the quarter-finals.
On a mixed night for Jonas Eidevall's Gunners, their place in the last eight was assured but they were beaten in Europe for the first time this season and lost star player Vivianne Miedema to injury. In worrying scenes, the Dutch star was stretchered off at the end of the first half, with players from both sides looking concerned.
Arsenal will pray the injury is not too serious but early indications suggest it could be a bad one, which would be a major blow to the title-chasing Gunners particularly after losing Beth Mead to an ACL only last month. Jonas Eidevall's team 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.
However, qualification was still ensured on a chilly night at the Emirates, despite the home team going down 1-0 to the French side. Lyon took the lead right on half-time courtesy of a Frida Maanum own goal, despite an offside Melvine Malard potentially interfering with play.
Les Lyonnaises are the current holders and have lifted Europe's top title a record eight times, although up until then had been second-best to Arsenal. Only seconds later Miedema suffered her injury and the Gunners were suddenly up against it.
They fought hard after the break but struggled to create clear-cut chances although the narrow scoreline ensures they have the better head-to-head record of the two teams and will feature in the knock-out stages.
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.
But Lyon also settled quickly, with Malard having an early sight of goal only to shoot tamely at Manuela Zinsberger. Lotte Wubben-Moy then went close to breaking the deadlock, meeting Steph Catley’s corner with pace but heading just over the bar.
The Gunners were composed but lacking in urgency. Katie McCabe did provide the best cross of the half that had the Lyon defence beaten but no one in a red shirt could make contact.
At the other end Delphine Cascarino looked a certain scorer after controlling a cross at the back post, only for Catley to make a superb block to keep it goalless. But seconds later the French champions had the lead after a goalmouth scramble led to Maanum turning the ball into her own net.
When the Gunners then saw Vivianne 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 Chritiane Endler at her near post.
Caitlin Foord had a golden chance to level, but instead tried to pull back for Stina Blackstenius only to find a Lyon defender. The eight-time European champions then through on Eugenie Le Sommer, who fired a good effort at goal that was well-saved by the alert Zinsberger.
The Gunners looked unsure whether to try and send bodies forward or let the game wind down. And it was Lyon who very nearly doubled their lead when Cascarino’s wicked cross nearly caught out Zinsberger.
One bright spot for the Gunners came in the closing minutes when Lina Hurtig came on for McCabe, returning from a spell out injured herself. She very nearly made a dramatic introduction but saw her goal-bound shot blocked after an Arsenal corner.
Arsenal were unable to find an equaliser but with their superior head-to-head record over Lyon, 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 look forward to a quarter-final after Christmas, confirmed with a game to spare.
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