# English clubs stumble as Women's Champions League returns

> Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all won their opening matches, but performances raised questions about whether they can challenge Europe's elite.
- Title: English clubs stumble as Women's Champions League returns
- Summary: Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all won their opening matches, but performances raised questions about whether they can challenge Europe's elite…
- Keywords: women's champions league, arsenal women, chelsea women, manchester city women, barcelona women, lyon women, women's super league, european football, 2026 season, sports, English, clubs
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cm1e516z2y8qo
- Published: 2026-09-24T13:19:53.825+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: women's champions league, arsenal women, chelsea women, manchester city women, barcelona women, lyon women, women's super league, european football, 2026 season, sports
## English trio start with mixed results
Arsenal and Chelsea won narrow home matches while Manchester City drew 2-2 at Bayern Munich. All three got points, but performances lacked conviction against their opening opponents.
## City shows character in Munich comeback
Manchester City recovered from 2-0 down to draw with Bayern Munich, with summer signings Beth Mead and Carlotta Wamser scoring their first goals for the club.
## Arsenal struggles against lower-ranked sides
Arsenal needed a 95th-minute penalty to beat Danish minnows HB Koge despite dominating possession. They managed only two shots on target and have now scored just two goals in three league matches.
## Chelsea shows promise but defensive cracks
Chelsea won 1-0 with bright attacking play from summer signing Melvine Malard and Alyssa Thompson, but conceded control in midfield and allowed Austria Vienna several dangerous chances.
## Barcelona and Lyon announce their intent
Last season's finalists made commanding statements. Lyon thrashed Servette 8-0 with Marie-Antoinette Katoto scoring a hat-trick, while Barcelona came from behind to beat Paris FC 5-2.
## Questions loom for English challengers
Arsenal's wastefulness, Chelsea's midfield fragility and City's reliance on comebacks suggest the English clubs face an uphill battle against Europe's established powers in the race for Warsaw.
## Key takeaway

England's three Champions League representatives showed defensive vulnerabilities and attacking inconsistency against weaker opposition, while Barcelona and Lyon announced themselves as genuine threats.