Russo says Arsenal in 'a blip' after loss to Lyonnes

"Disappointed to not get the three points. I think at the moment we're in a bit of a blip but we're aware of that, Russo told Disney+. I think there's lots to it. First and foremost, we need to look at ourselves and how we can push our standards. We're sometimes letting teams get attacks on us by our own mistakes. We need to take accountability, we need to focus on what we can do to control that from everyone, it's all across the pitch. I think at times tonight we saw what we're capable of but it's just about doing that and making sure we get results as well. There's moments that were really positive so we'll lean on that."

"That's something we need to use as fuel. We know how hard we worked for that trophy and how it felt to win it. When you win a trophy with a team it lights a fire to want to win more because that feeling is like nothing else. Although tonight didn't go to plan we'll keep pushing."

"We have to be realistic. We know it's a long season ahead full of highs and lows. We definitely felt that last season in the Champions League. You can never get too high or too low. We've got to keep pushing ourselves because we don't like losing, we don't like being in moments like this."

Arsenal opened their Champions League defence with a 2-1 defeat to OL Lyonnes after Alessia Russo gave them a seventh-minute lead. Defensive errors allowed Melchie Dumornay to score twice before halftime, leaving the Gunners winless in four matches across all competitions, their joint-longest run without victory in the Women's Super League era. The team recognizes a blip and emphasizes raising standards, taking accountability for mistakes, and preventing opponents' attacks across the pitch. There were positive moments to build on, but defending the title will be tougher; the next Champions League match is away to Benfica.

Read at ESPN.com