Champions League
Nov 29, 2023 8.00pm
6
0
HT : 5 0
FT Emirates Stadium
  • Kai Havertz 13' goal
  • Gabriel Jesus 21' goal
  • Bukayo Saka 23' goal
  • Gabriel Martinelli 27' goal
  • Martin Odegaard 45'+1' goal
  • Jorginho 86' goal
  • yellowcard Nampalys Mendy 41'
  • yellowcard Abdukodir Khusanov 63'
  • yellowcard Massadio Haidara 64'

How Arsenal could line up against Lens

How Arsenal could line up against Lens

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will be boosted by the return of two players for Wednesday's Champions League Group B clash with Lens at the Emirates.

Needing just one more point to guarantee a last-16 place, the Gunners will welcome back David Raya, who was ineligible to face parent club Brentford in the weekend's Premier League affair.

Raya can expect an immediate recall over Aaron Ramsdale, who did not cover himself in glory against the Bees on Saturday, but Fabio Vieira - who missed that win through suspension - is out for "weeks" after a groin operation.

Raya should be deployed behind a familiar-looking backline of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, although the injury-plagued Takehiro Tomiyasu has played a lot of football in recent weeks, so a fit-again Ben White is a viable alternative.

As ever, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice will take up two spots in the midfield triumvirate, and Kai Havertz may have done enough to nab the third spot on account of his 89th-minute winner off the bench against Brentford.

A potential recall for Havertz would push Leandro Trossard further forward - where he was highly effective against Sevilla on matchday four - and the Belgian could revert to an attacking role this week, as Arteta may not risk Gabriel Jesus twice in quick succession following his recent recovery from a hamstring concern.

Trossard's supporting cast should comprise Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, the latter of whom was the victim of some rough Sevilla treatment three weeks ago but still managed to contribute a goal and assist to that 2-0 beating.

Arsenal possible starting lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

POLL
Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Arsenal and Lens?
Arsenal 88%
Draw 8%
Lens 4%
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