Arsenal Ladies came unstuck at Meadow Park on Saturday after Lyon were the quicker and slicker side winning the game Arsenal 2 - 3 Lyon.
Having been two-goals down from their first leg Arsenal Ladies were unable to pull out all the stops to book a lace in May’s London final.
Lotta Schelin put the French champions in control while a calm finish from Lara Dickenmann, off the back of a brace from Eugenie Le Sommer, wrapped up a tie just before half-time.
Despite second-half consolations from Julie Fleeting and Ellen White the game was a reality check to the 2007 winners.
Only a few hundred Arsenal enthusiasts filled Meadow Park for this decisive fixture, compared to the 20,000 that had spurred Lyon on to victory at the Stade Gerland last week.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Related stories:
Football: Arsenal emerge victorious in historic game
Football: Historic win over USA
Football: Hope Powell praises England after famous victory over USA
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Arsenal Ladies missed out on going into the lead just 19 seconds in to the game when Sarah Bouhaddi had to stretched to tip the ball outside the goal after a dipping volley from Jordan Nobbs was heading towards the top corner.
Lyon then started to get into the pace of the game, and managed to start creating opening’s of their own. Dickenmann’s attempt flew over the bar and Camille Abily didn’t make enough of a fine cross from Wendie Renard.
Niamh Fahey and Ciara Grant both led the ball into the possession of Lyon winger Le Sommer who looked dangerous but shot the first ball high and wide while Emma Byrne managed to save the second. Le Sommer got her chance in the 16th minute, as Arsenal were once again clumsy, she was able to run it into an unguarded net leaving Arsenal needing four.
Arsenal saw some hope as they approached the half-hour mark, a Rachel Yankey corner was spilled by Bouhaddi but Ellen White was challenged as she tried to apply the finishing touch.
Shortly after and it looks as if the game was over, Schelin resisted two markers and manage to pass to ball off to Le Sommer who curved a great effort into the bottom corner of the net with the outside of her right book.
The third goal came on the stroke of half-time and it was a moment to forget for Steph Houghton. The right back missed a right-wing cross and Dickenmann calmly converted leaving Arsenal well and truly sun.
The second half saw Arsenal play with character, managing to force Lyon back for long spells and just after the hour mark Yankey crossed to substitute Julie Fleeting who managed a close range goal to give Arsenal a bit of hope.
Ellen White then managed a second goal four minutes before full time but it was too little too late to make a difference.
Despite missing out on a place in the final of the Women’s Champions League, Arsenal only need to beat Barnet in their FA Women’s Cup Semi-Final later this month to have another crack at the big one next season.
Bethan Borrett, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
