Two first-half goals from Melchie Dumornay cancelled out Alessia Russo's seventh-minute strike, after Arsenal had struck first blood.

Arsenal started brightly, and was rewarded for its early pressure when Russo coolly slotted past Christiane Endler after some silky footwork from Beth Mead in the build-up.

However, the Gunners squandered their initial advantage in the 18th minute when a Daphne van Domselaar pass sold Steph Catley short, allowing Dumornay to pounce on the loose ball, before knocking into an empty net from a rebound.

Just minutes later, and the visitors had their second. Again, defensive sloppiness proved costly, as Dumornay intercepted a wayward header and then proceeded to launch a thumping effort beyond Van Somselaar from the edge of the Arsenal penalty area.

After the interval, Jonatan Giraldez's side continued to probe, as they pushed for a third and a statement away win. Racking up nine shots to Arsenal's five, it was as though it was the team chasing, as it dominated both possession and territory.

The defeat leaves Arsenal without a win in its past four games, while Lyon continues its winning start to the campaign.