Women's Champions League Matchday 2: Paris FC vs Arsenal facts

After a winning start to the 2026/27 UEFA Women's Champions League, Arsenal now face Paris FC on Matchday 2, the French side having lost to European champions Barcelona in their own league phase opener.

Arsenal left it late against HB Køge on Matchday 1, substitute Mariona Caldentey converting a 93rd-minute penalty to earn a 1-0 victory at Meadow Park on 22 September.

The following night Paris scored the first and last goals in their own Matchday 1 fixture at Barcelona, through Evelyne Viens (5) and Clara Mateo (73), but still went down 2-5 to the defending champions at Estadi Johan Cruyff.

Last match

Paris progressed 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in round 1 of the 2023/24 campaign, the only previous meeting between the sides. Alessia Russo scored two of Arsenal's goals in a match staged in Linköping.

That was Paris' first encounter with English opponents but they have since lost five in a row, most recently 4-0 at Chelsea on Matchday 2 in last season’s league phase. They have failed to score in their last four defeats, including both fixtures in France.

Arsenal have won just three of their 16 encounters with French opponents (D3 L10), although two of those successes have come in their last four attempts. They have been victorious on just two of their seven trips to France, their 2025/26 European campaign ending with a 1-3 defeat at OL Lyonnes (3-4 agg).

Paris FC

Earning eight points in finishing tenth in last season’s league phase, Paris FC progressed to the knockout phase play-offs, where they suffered a 2-5 aggregate defeat by Real Madrid (2-3 h, 0-2 a). Formerly known as Juvisy, they reached the semi-finals in 2012/13.

The French club entered the league phase directly this season having finished runners-up to OL in the French league in 2025/26. They are making their third group stage/league phase appearance, all in the last four seasons.

Arsenal

Arsenal lifted the Women's Champions League trophy in 2024/25 after Stina Blackstenius scored the only goal of the game against holders Barcelona in Lisbon. It was their second European title after overcoming Umeå in a two-legged final in 2006/07. They are the only English side to reach two European finals.

This is the Londoners' 19th participation in the Women's Champions League. Their title defence ended at the semi-final stage last season – their ninth appearance in the last four – with that 3-4 aggregate defeat against OL Lyonnes (2-1 h, 1-3 a).

Key stats

Paris have lost their last four Women's Champions League matches.

Viens' Matchday 1 goal equalled Jordyn Huitema's Canadian record of 12 in the Women's Champions League/Women's Cup.

Arsenal have not been involved in a goalless draw in their last 101 European games.

The Gunners have won ten of their last 12 group stage/league phase matches (L2).

Arsenal have won eight of their last ten Women's Champions League games (L2).

With 19 goals, Alessia Russo is the joint second-highest English scorer in the competition's history, level with Toni Duggan and behind only Fran Kirby (21).

Kim Little needs two goals to reach 40 for Arsenal in European competition.