Arsenal’s difficult start to the season continued as a late penalty conceded by Leah Williamson allowed Paris FC to recover from 2-0 down and draw 2-2 with the Gunners in the Women’s Champions League.
Renee Slegers’ side appeared to be in control after Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway scored their first goals of the season. But Clara Mateo pulled one back for the hosts before Maeline Mendy converted from the penalty spot to complete the comeback and secure a point.
The result adds to the pressure on Slegers, with Arsenal having won only one of their opening four Women’s Super League matches. A lack of goals had been one of the main concerns during that run, and Arsenal again struggled to create a consistent threat for much of the first half.
They finally found a way through when Russo combined with Stanway before producing a precise finish from the edge of the penalty area. It was a much-needed moment of quality from the forward and gave Arsenal the lead shortly before half-time.
Stanway then doubled the advantage shortly after the restart. The former Bayern Munich midfielder was left unmarked inside the six-yard box and struck a powerful volley into the net, registering her first goal since joining Arsenal in the summer.
At 2-0, Arsenal looked set to claim a comfortable victory. However, they did not build on their advantage by pressing for a third goal, and Paris FC took advantage of the opportunity to work their way back into the match.
Mateo began the turnaround when she broke forward on the counter-attack. After going around goalkeeper Misa, the Paris FC captain calmly placed the ball into an empty net.
The decisive incident came with three minutes of normal time remaining. After Arsenal had been awarded a goal kick, Misa passed the ball to Williamson, apparently intending for the Lioness to take the restart.
But the referee had already blown the whistle to indicate that play could resume. When Williamson picked up the ball to place it for the goal kick, Iuliana Demetrescu awarded Paris FC a penalty.
Substitute Mendy took responsibility and sent her effort into the bottom corner. The goal completed Paris FC’s comeback, rescued a draw for the hosts and left Arsenal with another disappointing result after they had held a two-goal lead.
