At the ninth time of asking, Arsenal have finally won the first leg of a Champions League semi-final tie.
The Gunners looked to set out their stall early on, with Alessia Russo finding plenty of space in between the Lyon defence and midfield in which to try to set up her team-mates.
Lyon soon clocked onto that and began pressing Arsenal high up the pitch in order to disrupt their build-up play and effectively starve Russo, Smith and Caitlin Foord of the ball.
Brand’s goal came from an interception in the Arsenal third, although Leah Williamson should have stepped up to close the space behind Little.
Renee Slegers’ half-time solution was to make her side press higher and hit the visitors through rapid transitions, something Lyon couldn’t cope with.
Blackstenius struggled to find the kind of space she craves in behind the Lyon defence, but it was her run at Caldentey’s free-kick that spooked the experienced Endler into botching an easy claim.
As improved as Arsenal were, they were also undoubtedly the beneficiaries of major luck.
Shortly after Diani hit the crossbar with only Van Domselaar to beat, Engen let a pass slip under her boot, collided with Endler, and Smith finished into the unguarded goal.
Arsenal may not get such luck in Lyon next weekend, but they may not need it. A second successive Champions League final appearance is theirs to lose.
