Arsenal surrender 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Paris FC after Williamson penalty blunder
Arsenal throw away commanding lead in Paris
Arsenal’s tough start to the season continued as Leah Williamson gave away a freak penalty late on to see Paris FC come from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with the Gunners in the Women’s Champions League at Stade Jean Bouin.
Renee Slegers’ side had put themselves in a commanding position thanks to both Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway notching their first goals of the season. However Clara Mateo and a spot kick from Maeline Mendy after Williamson had picked up the ball from a goal kick, saw the hosts turn the game around and snatch a point from the tie.
First-half breakthrough for Russo
Pressure had been mounting on Slegers before the game with Arsenal picking up just one win from their opening four Women’s Super League games. Their main issue had been a lack of firepower in front of goal – and they were toothless for much of the first 45 minutes.
That was until Russo combined with Stanway before rediscovering her clinical edge with a fine finish from the edge of the box in the 41st minute.
Stanway doubles advantage
Shortly after the break, it was Stanway’s turn to celebrate. The former Bayern Munich midfielder was found unmarked inside the six-yard box and smashed home a volley in the 50th minute to net her first goal since joining the club in the summer.
At that point, it seemed like there was only one winner. However, Arsenal failed to push the initiative in search for a third and were made to pay.
Paris fight back
First, Paris captain Mateo broke away on the counter in the 72nd minute before rounding past goalkeeper Misa and slotting into an empty net.
Then, with three minutes of normal time remaining, disaster struck. Having won a goal kick, Misa passed the ball to Williamson, seemingly for the Lioness to take the kick herself. However, the referee had blown the whistle to resume play, so when Williamson picked up the ball to put it into position for herself to restart the game, Iuliana Demetrescu pointed to the spot.
Substitute Mendy fired into the bottom corner in the 87th minute to complete the comeback and salvage a point for the hosts, condemning Arsenal to another disappointing result.
Russo reacts
Arsenal striker Alessia Russo speaking with Disney+: "No [I didn't see us not winning the game]. It was a mistake. Obviously it wasn't intended at all. It's football, sometimes things like that happen. Unfortunately, it wasn't ideal but we move on.
"We let them come back into the second half way before that moment. We are disappointed but there were some really good things tonight."
On moving one behind Fran Kirby's English record of Women's Champions League goals: "I had no idea that was even a record. It's nice. I'm really happy to have scored tonight because it's been a bit of a tough period. I'll just keep working hard and see what happens. Most importantly we keep building for Sunday and then the rest of the Champions League."