Lyon 1-5 Arsenal: Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead hit doubles to fire Gunners top of Group C

Yes, you read that score correctly – Lyon 1-5 Arsenal. The only English team to ever win the Women’s Champions League had a historic night in France when they humiliated the holders on their home turf.

Lyon missed out on several protagonists such as Ada Hegerberg, Griedge Mbock and Caratine Macario, just to name a few. But Arsenal were also without their two starting centre-backs in Leah Williamson and Rafaelle. The Gunners came out better.

This was their biggest win to date under manager Jonas Eidevall, who got his team selection and tactics in order. Eyebrows went up when star player Vivianne Miedema was mentioned on the couch. But her replacement, Frida Maanum, was arguably the best player on the field.

Eidevall sacrificed Miedema’s attacking quality for Maanum’s defensive stability, but the Norwegian midfielder proved influential higher up the field with a goal and assist in both halves.

Caitlin Foord and Beth Mead were also superb, with both players scoring twice. Arsenal led 3-1 at halftime. It was the first time the French side conceded three goals since they became Olympique Lyonnais in 2004.

English teams have struggled in Europe in recent years, but make no mistake, this was a statement win.

Arsenal were great from start to finish and they took the lead after just 13 minutes as Foord completed a brilliant team move. Kim Little’s lofty pass took Mead out of the right wing and her first cross was caught by a sliding Foord near the back post.

The hosts were stunned and ten minutes later they were 2-0 down. Stina Blackstenius went behind the Lyon defense and found himself one on one with Christiane Endler. Lyon’s goalkeeper saved her first shot, but she couldn’t do anything to prevent Maanum from hitting the rebound.

The Gunners were worthy of their two-goal lead, but a lack of concentration forced Lyon back into the game. A corner from Salma Bacher was deflected by Lyndsey Horan on the crossbar and the ball fell to Melvine Malard, who converted the rebound.

Despite a goal back, Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor was clearly unhappy with her side’s first half performance and opted to make a substitution in the 38th minute, leaving Ines Jaurena out for Damaris Egurrola.

But that change did little to turn the tide, as Arsenal made it 3-1 just before half-time. Wendie Renard brought Blackstenius down to the edge of the penalty area and Mead converted the free kick into the bottom right corner with a low blow.

Bompastor resisted making any further changes at halftime, but her side continued to struggle at the start of the second half. Eugenie Le Sommer sent a tame header into the hands of Manuela Zinsberger, but it was Arsenal who created the better chances. Blackstenius forced Endler to make a fine save on her nearest post before the striker came close again from a corner.

But Arsenal didn’t have to wait long for a fourth, as Foord fired the best attack of the game. The striker grabbed the ball 25 yards from the goal and bent a brilliant shot into the top right corner.

Lyon was all over the place when they gave up a fifth from their own kick-off. A loose pass was picked up by Mannum and she played in Mead, who calmly pushed in from close range. Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday night, but it will take some performance to outdo their London rivals.