Arsenal Women vs Lyon: Preview, prediction & lineups

The record 15-times champions of England face the record 18-times champions of France for a place in the Champions League Final, with both seeking yet more continental glory. 12 months ago, the pair met at the same stage of the same competition, with Lyon 2-1 winners in North London, only for Arsenal to, against all odds, prevail 4-1 in France a week later, en route to their second European crown. Fair to say, Gooners would settle for a sense of déjà vu.

Renée Slegers' side are still on track to retain their Champions League title after a highly-charged quarter-final victory over fierce rivals Chelsea. Last month, goals from Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and then Alessia Russo saw them beat the Blues 3-1 at home, before a backs against the wall 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on April Fool's Day was enough to see the holders sneak through.

Arsenal are rather looking to the Champions League to salvage their season. They are 11 points behind WSL leaders Manchester City with only five games to go, while they've also now been dumped out of both cups. A huge crowd is forecast to be in attendance at the Emirates for this first leg, so can the roar the Gunners to a crucial lead?

As for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, they're very much the queens of this competitions. Since 2010, les Fenottes have appeared in 11 Champions League Finals, winning eight of them. However, their last triumph came in 2022, only featuring in two of the last five finals, which for Lyon represents a massive decline.

This season, Jonatan Giráldez's side came through the league phase unbeaten, finishing second, including a come from behind 2-1 win over Arsenal on matchday one. Melchie Dumornay bagging a brace in Borehamwood back then. They did then lose the first leg of their quarter-final against Wolfsburg 1-0, only to then win 1-0 at home, with Dumornay, Damaris Egurrola and Tabitha Chawinga all on target during an extra time scoring spree.

Thus, these two teams are, unquestionably, two of Europe's very best, making this too close to call. Barça Femení are widely-expected to take care of Bayern Munich in the other semi-final, but who will be joining the Catalan side at the Ullevål in Oslo on 23 May is anyone's guess.

Arsenal vs Lyon: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Arsenal vs Lyon kick off?

Arsenal vs Lyon kicks off on Sunday 26 April at 15:30 (BST).

• When is kick off? Sunday 26 April 2026
• What time is kick off? 15:30 (BST)
• Where is it played? Emirates Stadium
• Referee: Désirée Blanco (Switzerland)

Arsenal & Lyon Champions League results so far

Arsenal vs Lyon head-to-head record

• Arsenal Wins: 2. Draws: 1. Lyon Wins: 7.

Arsenal vs Lyon last five meetings

How to watch Arsenal vs Lyon

Arsenal team news

This will be a first match in three weeks for Renée Slegers' side, following the international break, but having been dumped out the FA Cup by Brighton last time out, a much better performance is required. In a major boost, Leah Williamson is likely to return to defence, having starting England's win over Iceland in Reykjavík last Saturday, following a few weeks on the sidelines.

In goal, Daphne van Domselaar's tie-winning performance at Stamford Bridge will likely see her get the nod over Anneke Borbe. In that quarter-final first leg against Chelsea, Slegers went ultra-attacking, deploying the Gunners' four superstar attackers all at once.

This quartet includes last season's final hero Stina Blackstenius, who signed a new contract this week, as well Alessia Russo, the Champions League's top-scorer this season with eight so far.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Lyon: van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Codina, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Mead, Blackstenius, Kelly, Russo.

Lyon team news

Unlike their hosts, Jonatan Giráldez's side were in action on Wednesday night, continuing their unbeaten domestic campaign by smashing Dijon 4-0 in the Première Ligue. Numerous key figures were rested in that match but will return here, including USWNT teenaged sensation Lily Yohannes, likely to start in midfield alongside compatriots Lindsey Heaps and Korbin Shrader.

In general, there are global superstars everywhere you look in les Fenottes' team. Captain Wendie Renard, still going strong at 35 years old, has spent her entire 20-year playing career at Lyon, winning 39 major trophies, and counting, including the Champions League eight times, which isn't bad.

Arsenal may have a frightening forward line, but OL Lyonnes do too. Melchie Dumornay scored both at Meadow Park during October's league phase victory but is not a guaranteed starter, competing for minutes with Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Jule Brand, Vicki Bècho, Ada Hegerberg and Kadidiatou Diani.

Predicted Lyon lineup vs Arsenal: Endler; Lawrence, Renard, Engen, Bacha; Heaps, Shrader, Yohannes; Diani, Katoto, Brand.

Arsenal vs Lyon score prediction

This first leg is likely to guarantee goals. Across all competitions this season, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin have now netted 127 times in just 35 matches, that's 3.6 per game, scoring three or more in six of their last seven in the Champions League. Arsenal, for their part, have bagged 13 goals across their last three at the Emirates, including putting Chelsea to the sword in the quarter-final first leg.

The Gunners have thereby won 11 of their last 13 Champions League home games, their only two defeats during this time frame both coming at the hands of Lyon. With the second leg in Décines-Charpieu to come next Saturday, Renée Slegers' side may feel this first clash in North London is must win, and we are backing the holders to establish a slender advantage.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Lyon

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