Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat in the first leg of their women’s Champions League semi-final against Lyon.

The anticipation in north London was palpable before the game as over 40,000 fans travelled to the Emirates for a chance to stake their claim against the perennial winners.

And Alessia Russo, the women’s Champions League second-highest top scorer this season, was back leading the line after a worrying injury scare during the international break.

Manuela Zinsberger, in for the injured Daphne von Domselaar, palmed it away and former Gunner Danielle van de Donk was quick to the rebound, only to find the side netting.

But the warning shots were fired. The record eight-time Champions League winners – with a combined total of 11 titles in their starting XI – weren’t here to mess around.

Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat by Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final

Veteran forward Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring in the tie, netting for Lyon on 17 minutes

Mariona Caldentey equalised in the second half for the Gunners after converting a penalty

Lyon took the lead in the 17th minute through their veteran French forward Kadidiatou Diani.

Ellie Carpenter, the Australian right-back, picked up the ball from deep and threaded it through to Diani, who surged into the box and slotted it past Zinsberger.

The off-side flag initially ruled it offside but VAR replays showed that Emily Fox was playing Diani onside and overturned the original decision.

The 30-year-old French striker wheeled around to celebrate as the small contingent of travelling fans in the Clock End erupted.

Arsenal has a reputation for turning up in front of this expectant crowd, and the early goal took the wind out of the stadium as the team found themselves outmatched for pace and physicality by the French champions.

Not long after Melchie Dumornay spotted Manuela Zinsberger off her line, and fired from 40 yards out, only for the ball to dip on to the crossbar. The Austrian goalkeeper breathed a sigh of relief.

Arsenal started to finally come into it at the end of the first half. Alessia Russo’s header was impeded by the crossbar which has done some saving on both end of the pitch.

Then the Gunners appeal for a penalty on Katie McCabe after the right-back was involved in a tussle in the area, but VAR had nothing to do with it.

Melchie Dumornay restored the French side’s lead just four minutes after Arsenal’s leveller

Arsenal travel to Lyon for the second leg next Sunday, which kicks off at 17:00 UK time

Arsenal came out after the break markedly improved in their intensity, chasing every ball and getting the crowd off their feet, and they were rewarded with several early chances.

First, Caitlin Foord picked up the ball in the box and nearly squeezed it past the experienced Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler, but is unable to find enough height with her chip and the chance passes.

Then, the Australian winger came again, almost teeing up a three-against one counterattack but Endler has a headstart from outside the box and boots it down field.

Beth Mead and Frida Maanum both had a chance apiece after that, but neither were able to find the target with their heads.

Arsenal were given an unlikely lifeline after Leah Williamson was brought down in the box by Endler. None of the team reacted but the referee was sent to the monitor and referee Alina Pesu pointed to the spot.

Mariona Caldentey coolly converted, sending Endler the other way.

Their lead was to last only four minutes, though, with Lyon’s pace in attack coming up trumps as Melchie Dumornay managed to break away from Arsenal’s fastest player, Emily Fox, and run into the box before picking her spot past Zinsberger’s outstretched hand.

They will have it all to do in France next Sunday.