Arsenal will travel to Stade Bollaert-Delelis to go one-on-one against the hosts Lens in the UEFA Champions League’s Group B action on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Lens’ Poor Start to their Ligue 1 Campaign and Return to Winning Ways in the Last Two Matches
Lens have won their last two matches in Ligue 1 against Toulouse (2-1) and Strasbourg (0-1) to mark a return to form after an opening five matches with four losses and a draw.
Coupled with the 1-1 draw at Sevilla, Lens’ return to form gives them hope that they can cause an upset against Arsenal on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s Unbeaten Start to the Season
Arsenal warmed up for the trip to Lens with a dominant 0-4 win at Bournemouth.
With Declan Rice’s return into midfield and Kai Havertz getting his first goal for the Gunners, Mikel Arteta hopes his side can maintain their good form when they take on Lens on Tuesday.
Injury Report
Lens
Franck Haise will have to deal with a couple of injuries ahead of the visit of Arsenal on Tuesday.
Lens’ right midfielder Jimmy Cabot is sidelined with a cruciate ligament rupture. The 29-year-old has been out since October 16, 2022, and has missed the last 39 matches for Lens. The midfielder is unlikely to be available for selection ahead of Arsenal’s visit.
Franck Haise will also be without attacking midfielder David Pereira da Costa in the match against Arsenal. The 22-year-old forward is nursing a shoulder injury. He has missed the last four Lens matches since September 13, 2023.
Franck Haise will need to select a team that will minimize the gaps left by the injured players while optimizing their game plan as they look to get their first win in Group B and take on an in-form Arsenal side.
Bet hereArsenal
Mikel Arteta had Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard make a welcome return to the Arsenal matchday squad in their 0-4 win away to Bournemouth on Saturday. Trossard was dealing with a thigh injury and a hamstring worry ahead of the match at Bournemouth, whereas Declan Rice nursed a lower back injury.
However, Arsenal will still be without a few players ahead of their trip to Lens for matchday two of their Champions League Group B action.
Thomas Partey is still recovering from a groin/hip/pelvic problem he suffered in training back in the first week of September.
Forward Gabriel Martinelli is also recovering from a thigh injury he suffered on September 22nd. Arteta expressed hope for his return but will need a late assessment for availability in the Lens match.
Jurrien Timber is still further out from a return from his knee injury. No return date has been set for his return, which indicates that he will not be in the frame of consideration in the clash against Lens on Tuesday.
Possible Lineups
Lens
B. Samba; F. Medina, K. Danso, J. Gradit; D. Machado, A. Diouf, N. Mendy, R. Aguilar; A. Fulgini, F. Sotoca; E. Wahi
Arsenal
David Raya; O. Zinchenko, Gabriel, W. Sa;iba, B. White; K. Havertz, D. Rice, M. Odegaard; G. Jesus, E. Nketiah, B. Saka
Prediction
Lens have won the last two matches in Ligue 1, marking a significant upturn in their domestic form. Coupled with the draw they got away to Sevilla, they will be confident of taking on Arsenal on Tuesday.
With a back-three formation, Lens will be dogged in their defending and compact across midfield. They will look to crowd out the middle of the pack and make it difficult for Arsenal to get into their free-flowing passing game.
Arsenal will look to be dominant. They will seek to establish dominance in midfield and create chances through their passing game and penetrative probing passes.
Arsenal will win away from home and make it two consecutive wins in Group B.
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