Leah Williamson's late penalty costs Arsenal as they draw with Paris FC

Arsenal's challenging start to the season continued as they squandered a two-goal lead against Paris FC, ultimately drawing 2-2. Leah Williamson's late penalty concession proved costly, allowing Paris to equalise after the Gunners had taken control with goals from Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway. Both players celebrated their first goals of the season, giving Arsenal a promising advantage before the match turned on its head.

The Gunners initially struggled to find their rhythm, lacking firepower in the first half. However, Russo found the net with a well-placed shot from the edge of the box, followed by Stanway's volley from close range shortly after the break. With Arsenal seemingly in command, they failed to press for a third goal, which ultimately allowed Paris to capitalise on their defensive lapses.

Paris FC's comeback began with captain Clara Mateo, who scored after a swift counterattack, rounding goalkeeper Misa to slot into an empty net. The situation worsened for Arsenal in the closing minutes when Williamson, mistakenly believing it was her turn to take a goal kick, picked up the ball, leading to a penalty decision from the referee. Maeline Mendy converted the spot kick to level the score.

The draw raises questions about Arsenal's form and puts further pressure on head coach Renee Slegers, who has seen her team secure only one win in their first four WSL matches. Slegers did not attend the post-match press conference, leaving assistant coach Aaron D'Antino to address the media. He expressed frustration over the penalty decision but acknowledged the need for the team to avoid such situations in the future.

Arsenal's striker Alessia Russo reflected on the match, acknowledging the disappointment of letting Paris back into the game. Despite the setback, Russo highlighted some positive aspects of their performance and emphasised the importance of moving forward. She also noted her personal milestone of closing in on Fran Kirby's record for Women's Champions League goals, indicating her determination to continue improving as the season progresses.

via Sky Sports