Report: Paris FC 2-2 Arsenal Women

We were held to a 2-2 draw away to Paris FC in the UEFA Women's Champions League on Wednesday night.

Alessia Russo opened the scoring late in the first half to become the second all-time top scorer among English players in the UWCL (now one shy of Fran Kirby).

Georgia Stanway doubled our lead early in the second half but Clara Mateo pulled one back for the hosts, before a dubious penalty decision saw Maeline Mendy make it 2-2.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

The home side had the first sight of goal with Mariam Toloba twisting and turning, cutting in from the left and shooting straight at Misa Rodriguez, before Lisa Baum crossed towards the far post and Mariona Caldentey was there to head it back across goal, but straight into the gloves of Mylene Chavas at the other end.

Aurelie Reynders gets the wrong side of Ona Batlle and went for goal from a narrow angle but Misa was equal to it, and our left-back was then involved offensively with a long-range effort deflected into Chavas’ gloves.

Baum’s inswinging corner was headed wide by Alessia Russo and, just after the half-hour mark, Toloba had time and space to run into but fired over the bar.

Gooners could breath a sigh of relief in the 41st minute when we made the breakthrough, Russo playing a one-two with Georgia Stanway before creating an opening and picking out the bottom right corner for 1-0.

There was a moment of panic for us at the end of the first half as Evelyne Viens found herself in on goal and smashed the ball onto the crossbar and over on the brink of half-time.

DOUBLING OUR LEAD

Early in the second half, Stanway received the ball in a promising position from Mariona but saw her low effort blocked but, moments later, Emily Fox’s cross reached Stanway and this time she made no mistake, half-volleying it into the back of the net for 2-0.

Olivia Smith came on for Kim Little in our first change of the night, which saw Mariona drop back into midfield.

Batlle then missed the target after Baum’s pass was well left by Russo, before a Paris counter attack saw Korosec fire over the bar.

Our next changes came with just over 20 minutes left as Smilla Holmberg and Frida Maanum came on for Fox and Stanway.

PARIS BACK IN IT

We then found ourselves having to protect a one-goal lead when, in the 72nd minute, Clara Mateo had space to break through down the left. She took the ball around Misa and rolled it across the line.

Our hunt for a third goal continued though, as Holmberg’s cross was headed over by Smith at the back post. Maanum then had a shot saved after a nice one-two with Russo.

In the game's dying embers there was a confusing call for a Paris penalty. It appeared as though the referee judged Misa to have taken a goal-kick, which Leah Williamson then handled, rather than Misa passing a rolling ball to Williamson for her to take the goal-kick.

From the penalty spot, Mendy scored into the bottom left to equalise.

Stina Blackstenius and Caitlin Foord came on as we looked to throw everything at it in place of Russo and Baum, but ultimately the points were shared.

WHAT'S NEXT

We head to Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City in the WSL at 4.30pm on Sunday, which tickets are on general sale for .

That will be the final game before the October international break, after which we'll be back in action at Emirates Stadium against Birmingham City for a 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday, October 17. Get your tickets!