Arsenal travel to France to face Paris FC on Wednesday in their second match of the [2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League](https://womenfootball.blog/womens-champions-league-2026-27/) league phase, looking for an improved performance after a difficult week.
The Gunners collected three points from their European opener against HB Køge, but needed a 93rd-minute Mariona Caldentey penalty to secure a 1-0 victory after managing only two shots on target from 19 attempts.
That lack of cutting edge remained evident against Chelsea on Sunday. Arsenal suffered a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge despite registering 19 shots, again managing only two on target.
Paris FC, meanwhile, opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-2 defeat away at defending champions Barcelona. The scoreline was heavy, but Sandrine Soubeyrand’s side showed enough attacking threat to suggest Arsenal cannot expect a straightforward evening in Paris.
**Competition**: UEFA Women’s Champions League MD 2
**Date**: Wednesday 30 September 2026
**Venue**: [Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris](https://www.stade.fr/en/jean-bouin-stadium/)
**Kick-off**: 5:45pm UK time
Three points against HB Køge were important, but the performance left Arsenal with plenty to improve. Renée Slegers’ side dominated possession and territory at Meadow Park but repeatedly struggled to create clear chances. Arsenal finished with 70% possession, 19 attempts and 45 touches inside the opposition box, yet only two efforts were on target.
Caldentey’s stoppage-time penalty eventually rescued the result. The same problem resurfaced against Chelsea. Arsenal again recorded 19 attempts and only two on target as Alyssa Thompson’s first-half goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat.
Slegers acknowledged afterwards that Arsenal had spent plenty of time in and around Chelsea’s final third without taking advantage of their stronger spells.
That makes Wednesday’s match particularly interesting. Arsenal already have three Champions League points, but they need to find greater efficiency in front of goal if they are to build momentum in Europe.
Paris FC’s opening result does not tell the entire story of their performance in Barcelona. Soubeyrand’s side made an excellent start, with Mariam Toloba winning possession high up the pitch and releasing Evelyne Viens to score after only five minutes.
Barcelona responded emphatically and led 4-1 by half-time before eventually winning 5-2, but Paris FC continued to attack when opportunities appeared.
Clara Mateo scored their second in the 73rd minute after substitute Aurélie Reynders played her through, giving Arsenal another indication of the threat the French side can pose when allowed space.
Defensively, however, Paris FC will need to improve. Barcelona repeatedly found ways through their back line and scored four times during a 25-minute spell in the first half.
Arsenal will hope to exploit those vulnerabilities, but doing so will require significantly more precision in the final third than they have shown in their last two matches.
Arsenal’s full team news is expected to become clearer closer to Wednesday’s match.
Slegers may consider changes after Sunday’s defeat to Chelsea, particularly with Arsenal facing a demanding run of fixtures. Caldentey, Stina Blackstenius, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly, Olivia Smith and Selina Cerci give the Arsenal head coach several attacking options.
Paris FC also made several changes during the second half against Barcelona, with Fiona Liaigre, Aurélie Reynders, Sheika Scott and Océane Picard among those introduced from the bench.
This section will be updated when further team news becomes available.
Evelyne Viens demonstrated against Barcelona how dangerous Paris FC can be in transition. Her early goal came after the French side recovered possession high up the pitch, and Arsenal will need to be careful when building from the back. Clara Mateo is another threat after scoring Paris FC’s second goal in Barcelona.
For Arsenal, the focus will be on whether their attacking players can finally turn territorial dominance into goals. Caldentey delivered the decisive moment against HB Køge, while Russo and the other Arsenal forwards will be looking for a much more productive evening in front of goal.
Arsenal should enter the match as favourites, but recent performances make it difficult to expect a comfortable victory.
Paris FC conceded five against Barcelona, yet they also scored twice and showed they can punish mistakes. Arsenal’s inability to turn possession and shots into meaningful chances has now been evident against both HB Køge and Chelsea.
If Arsenal improve their execution around the penalty area, there should be opportunities against Paris FC’s defence. Another wasteful performance, however, could make this considerably more difficult.
Prediction: Paris FC 1-2 Arsenal