Misryoum reports Arsenal Women adjust their XI for the Champions League semi-final second leg at Lyon after a home win.
Arsenal Women’s Champions League semi-final return at Lyon is set to look a little different, with Misryoum confirming five changes to the starting XI for the second leg.
Heading to Groupama Stadium. Arsenal go into the match with a 2-1 aggregate advantage. carrying both momentum and the pressure that comes with protecting a narrow lead.. In the build-up. they followed up domestic success with a resounding 7-0 win at home to Leicester City. a result that helped keep confidence high as the squad rotates for the trip to France.
Meanwhile, Renée Slegers has brought back Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Mariona Caldentey, Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo into the starting lineup. They take the places of Laia Codina, Taylor Hinds, Victoria Pelova, Smilla Holmberg and Frida Maanum.
This kind of reshuffle matters because semi-finals often come down to fine margins. Small shifts in roles, match rhythm, and defensive balance can influence how a team handles the next big momentum swing.
Arsenal’s XI keeps continuity in key areas as Daphne van Domselaar stays in goal. Emily Fox, Katie McCabe, Kim Little and Olivia Smith also start, alongside Stina Blackstenius up front, giving the team a blend of experience, control, and cutting threat.
Up front, Alessia Russo’s inclusion signals Arsenal’s intent to stay sharp in the moments that decide ties. With Lyon at home and the second leg still delicately poised, having attacking options built into the starting plan can be as important as the defensive structure.
For substitutes, Chloe Kelly returns from injury and is named among the options, with Sophie Harwood making way. That adjustment adds further flexibility if the game opens up or if Arsenal need a fresh burst later on.
In the end, what Misryoum highlights here is more than just selection: it’s a snapshot of how elite teams manage intensity across competitions. As the semi-final moves from advantage to outcome, every decision about who starts and who waits can shape the storyline that follows.