Lens – Arsenal : Preview & Prediction
Lens kicked off their Champions League campaign after a 21-year absence with a very important point (1-1) in Seville, which should boost their confidence ahead of this clash against Group B favorites Arsenal. The “Lensois”, who were winless in this 2023/24 season up to that point (E2, P4), won their next two Ligue 1 matches, and Frank Haise’s men will be hoping to build on that momentum to show a solid performance in this engagement.
The Champions League anthem will be heard at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis for the first time since 2002, where the “Blood et Gold” have only lost once in this competition (G3, E2). Several long-time fans will recall that one of those two draws came against Arsenal (1-1) during the 1998/99 edition, although the English side gained revenge here with a 2-1 victory the following season in the UEFA Cup.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is watching Lens’ resurgence with caution and anticipates “a really difficult away game” even after his side’s convincing 4-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday. The “Gunners” also secured a 4-0 win against PSV Eindhoven in their first Champions League match since the 2016/17 campaign, signifying their ninth consecutive unbeaten clash in the group stage of the competition (G7, E2).
Playing away from home should not bother Arteta’s men, as they have won all four of their visits in official clashes this campaign (G4) without allowing a goal. The Gunners have faced French clubs in four of their last six Champions League group stage campaigns, failing to take all three points on just one occasion (G3, E1), although none of those matches ended by a multiple-goal margin.
Players to watch: After celebrating his first goal for Lens against Strasbourg last weekend (1-0), Elye Wahi has led his team to victory in seven of his last nine scoring appearances (P2). Meanwhile, Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus was the final scorer of the match in three of the last four Champions League group stage matches in which he scored.
Key Fact: The first goal of the match was scored during the first 20 minutes of play in each of Arsenal’s last ten UEFA Champions League matches.
Lens – Arsenal : Betting Tips
Arsenal – Win Odds: 1.65
