Arsenal hold Barcelona to draw and end hosts’ perfect Champions League start

Arsenal held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou on Thursday, ending the Spanish side’s 100% record in this season’s Women’s Champions League and strengthening the Gunners’ position in the race for the knockout stages.

Frida Maanum put Arsenal ahead against the run of play in the first half. Barcelona, who had 24 shots and almost 70% possession, equalised through Caroline Graham Hansen after the break but could not find a winner.

The point leaves Arsenal with seven from their opening four matches. They are sixth in the Women’s Super League, and manager Renee Slegers has acknowledged that too many domestic draws have hurt their start to the season. The result in Barcelona offered a different kind of performance: the BBC described Arsenal’s display as gritty, with the team defending for long periods and making the most of limited chances.

Slegers said the team had prepared well and praised their execution against a side she called “so good on the ball”. She said the performance was “very different to how we usually play” and a “big boost” for the squad, while adding that Arsenal had gone to Camp Nou hoping to win.

Arsenal face London City Lionesses on Sunday, then host Lyon in Europe next Thursday. They finish the Champions League league phase away to Inter Milan in December.