Arsenal and OL Lyonnes meet in their UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg on Sunday 26 April at Arsenal Stadium.
Arsenal vs OL Lyonnes
When: Sunday 26 April (16:30 CET kick-off)
Where: Arsenal Stadium, London
What: UEFA Women's Champions League semi-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up can be found here
Second leg: Saturday 2 May (15:00 CET kick-off) at OL Stadium, Décines
What do you need to know?
Few semi-finals of this competition have been as dramatic as when these teams met at this stage last year. OL won the first leg 2-1 in London, only for Arsenal to surge to a 4-1 success in France before beating Barcelona in the final. That was only Arsenal's second victory against the eight-time European champions, as OL have won seven and drawn one of their past ten meetings. The French side have won all five London encounters with the Gunners, including a 2-1 comeback victory through Melchie Dumornay's double on Matchday 1 of this season.
2024/25 semi-final first-leg highlights: Arsenal 1-2 OL Lyonnes
Like last season, Arsenal have recovered from a slow start this term and, after becoming the first team to eliminate Chelsea in a Women's Champions League quarter-final, are looking formidable. Gunners striker Alessia Russo leads the way as the competition's eight-goal top scorer and is fresh from scoring the winner for England in Iceland in the latest round of Women's European Qualifiers.
Arsenal vs OL Lyonnes facts
However, while Arsenal's semi-final success a year ago was only their second in eight attempts, OL – in a record 15th last-four tie – have progressed to 11 finals. After finishing the league phase unbeaten and level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table, OL lost the first leg of their quarter-final 1-0 to Wolfsburg. But they rallied to go through 4-1 on aggregate, with three extra-time goals in the return, showing their depth by introducing the likes of Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Tabitha Chawinga and Dumornay from the bench to help secure the victory late on.
Highlights: Arsenal 1-2 OL Lyonnes
Where to watch: TV/streams
Form guide
Arsenal
Last six games: LLWWWW (most recent result first)
Last match: Arsenal 0-2 Brighton and Hove Albion, 05/04, Women's FA Cup quarter-finals
Next match: Arsenal vs OL Lyonnes, 26/04, Women's Champions League semi-finals
Where they stand: 3rd in Women's Super League
OL Lyonnes
Last six games: WWDLWW
Last match: Strasbourg 0-6 OL Lyonnes, 05/04, French Cup semi-finals
Next match: OL Lyonnes vs Dijon, 22/04, Première Ligue
Where they stand: 1st in Première Ligue regular season, French Cup final, French League Cup winners
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View from the camps
Renée Slegers, Arsenal coach: "We've learned a lot from those experiences last year, how much it takes, but it also inspires us to see what we can do and what we're capable of. Of course, we're going to face [OL Lyonnes] again, first home and then away, so it's going to be a big battle. We remember that from last year, but we really look forward to the challenge."
Lily Yohannes, OL Lyonnes midfielder: "We know Arsenal are a top side. But we are not really thinking about the opponent – we're focused on ourselves and we know that if we put in our top performance, we can beat anyone. We'll be prepared."
Last season, Arsenal bounced back from their semi-final first-leg defeat to OL Lyonnes by winning the return fixture 4-1
Last season, Arsenal bounced back from their semi-final first-leg defeat to OL Lyonnes by winning the return fixture 4-1Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Reporter's view
Faye Hackwell, match reporter
If last season's thrilling semi-final between these sides is anything to go by, we can expect swinging momentum, spectacular goals and moments of drama. Both teams are in good domestic form, but each showed they have vulnerabilities by losing a leg of their respective quarter-finals. OL Lyonnes tend to rise to the occasion on their trips to England, but the Gunners have won all four home games in the competition since the French side's Matchday 1 victory. This promises to be a fascinating contest between two teams with rich histories in European competition — one hoping to retain their title, the other aiming to regain the trophy they have won more than anyone else.
Where is the 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League final being played?
UEFA via Getty Images
Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, will host the 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League final on Saturday 23 May.
The final will be the first UEFA women's club decider to be played in Norway, although Ullevaal – opened in 1926 and renovated on several occasions since – staged the UEFA Women's EURO final in both 1987 and 1997. It is the regular home of the Norway women's and men's national teams. The 2016 men's UEFA Super Cup was also held in Norway, in Trondheim.