(Football news) Arsenal Women could not have asked for a better start to their Champions League campaign after defeating reigning European champions Lyon 5-1 at the Stade des Lumieres in France. Beth Mead and Caitlin Foord scored twice for the Gunners while Frida Maanum’s goal in the first half left the hosts without an answer. The result meant that Lyon suffered their second loss at home in 83 games and it marked the first time since May 2005 that the eight times European champions conceded five goals.

Arsenal, who are currently unbeaten in the Women’s Super League continued their fantastic form in Europe as they attempted to chase their second European crown, having won their first 15 years ago. The visitors secured a two goal advantage within 22nd minutes with Foord and Mannum on the scoresheet. Melvine Mallard scored Lyon’s only goal in the 27th minute but Arsenal regained their two goal advantage with a 3-1 interval lead through Beth Mead’s freekick. To make matters worse for the hosts, Mead and Foord scored their second goal to complete the rout as Lyon succumbed to an embarrassing defeat.

Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said “I think it's the best performance that I've seen the team give, both on and off the ball. The belief and the quality that we had in the game plan was very, very high, so I'm really proud of the players. We were very efficient in the game, we were effective. But we've worked so hard to get those margins. 

“We won so many balls in dangerous areas but we also moved the ball very well out from the back under pressure and waited for the right moments to go in behind. So all the goals have a special place in my mind. They knew not to be passive, but to travel together and be really compact in the areas we wanted to be in. That requires some bravery; it requires not being able to cover some other areas of the pitch but the payoff was huge." 

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