LONDON — Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo were all on target as Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium yesterday in the first leg of an all-London women’s Champions League quarter-final.

Lauren James pulled a goal back for Chelsea to keep the Blues in the tie but reigning European champions Arsenal will still be well-placed come kick-off in next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

“The game was very tight today,” Gunners boss Renee Slegers told the BBC.

“We both had our moments. We were clinical and ruthless with our chances. There were different momentum shifts — they started really well and we stayed in the game.

“It was hard at times. It was tight in individual duels but I’m very pleased with the squad from start to finish and how we managed the game.”

The women’s Champions League was the one major title that eluded Chelsea during Emma Hayes’ trophy-laden 12-year reign and the Blues are still seeking to be crowned queens of Europe for the first time since Sonia Bompastor replaced the now-United States boss in 2024.

Bompastor, a Champions League-winner both as a player and manager with French side Lyon, was left frustrated by the quality of Romanian referee Alina Pescu’s decision-making after Chelsea had two goals disallowed for questionable fouls.

“It was not good enough,” said Bompastor.

“When you are playing a quarter-final of the Champions League you need to have the best referees. Especially when you have the VAR.

“I think it’s crazy the goals we got disallowed were actually good goals.”