Arsenal turn their attention to continental football as they get ready to take on Ligue 1 side Lens in a fixture that can go a long way in helping them qualify for the round of 16, so let’s take a look at the latest team news.
Thanks to a goal from Kai Havertz in the dying stages of the game, the Gunners have moved to the top of the Premier League. Buoyed by this, they will be confident of taking revenge on the visitors who beat the hosts in the reverse fixture.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Fabio Vieira has undergone surgery and will be out of action for a few weeks, which is a huge blow to the Emirates side. Thomas Partey is still out while Jurrien Timber is of course on the recovery road, but it will be a long time before we get to see him.
Having Gabriel Jesus back in the fold is a big boost for the north Londoners as the Brazil international is such a transformative player. Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt given that he did not make the last matchday squad.
Arsenal Fever View:
For the Gunners, the equation is quite simple. They just need a win to ensure that they can finish on top of their Champions League group. Having already played Lens once, they will be aware of the quality that the team from France possesses.
The onus is on the frontline who need to ensure that they are on their game. Otherwise, it will give the visitors some hope of nicking a point or maybe more. As for Lens, they are excellent on the counter and the home defence needs to keep an eye on that.
Arteta will be keen on his team clicking in the final third as they are more likely to have space when compared to the Premier League. Whether they take advantage of the chances they create is what will determine the outcome of this game.
Arsenal have recovered well after losing to Lens in the second matchday. They look set to finish on top of their group which is surely a great way to return to this competition. Knowing what this team is capable of, one can expect to see the home side pick up three points.
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