Arsenal vs Lens tips and predictions: All Gunners blazing as hosts secure comfortable passage
Gabriel Jesus scores against Lens
Arsenal can book their spot in the Champions League round of 16 draw with a win over Lens at the Emirates on Wednesday.
It’s a rare event when Mikel Arteta’s table toppers lose but that’s exactly what happened when they visited Lens on matchday two.
Gabriel Jesus’ 14th-minute opener was cancelled out by Adrien Thomasson before Elye Wahi, Lens’ versatile frontman who scored 19 goals last season, bagged the winner.
That win put the French side second and left the Gunners with work to do but fast forward to the present day and Arsenal are in full control of the group.
While that remains Lens’ only win in a tricky-looking group, the Premier League side made fairly light work of back-to-back wins over Sevilla.
Another draw between the Spaniards and PSV would ensure Arsenal qualify for the next round and win the group in the process but a home win makes sure.
Lens’ have risen from the ashes of a Ligue 2 relegation battle to record four consecutive top-six finishes back in the big-time, including an unlikely title push this season.
Unfortunately, the two levels just aren’t comparable. The French league looks weaker than ever, PSG aside, and the visitors aren’t in their best form.
Franck Haise’s side have failed to win five of eight, a run which included a 1-0 loss away to the same PSV side Arsenal beat 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Not only will Arsenal want revenge, but they’ll also want to make sure they deliver Champions League knockout football for the first time since 2017 in front of their fans.
Arsene Wenger’s side avoided defeat in the group that year before suffering the indignity of a 10-2 aggregate defeat against Bayern Munich, but a better fate awaits them this year.
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Team news
Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are ruled out while Emile Smith Rowe is a doubt.
Gabriel Jesus has been in fine form in the Champions League and should be flanked by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka in a 4-3-3.
The visitors will be without Jimmy Cabot, Wuilker Farinez, Deiver Machado and the suspended Morgan Guilavogi.
Elye Wahi will start in attack and will be supported by Florian Sotoca. Sotoca was influential in Lens' promotion campaign and has since had a hand in 45 Ligue 1 goals.
Key stats
- Thirteen of Arsenal’s last 15 Champions League home wins have been to nil.
- Lens have never won an away game in the Champions League.
- Arsenal have outscored visitors to the Emirates 24-7 across nine matches.
- Gabriel Jesus has scored in three of four Group Stage matches.
