RC Lens vs Arsenal: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The Gunners have a French assignment before Man City clash

RC Lens surprised everyone and almost won the Ligue 1 title last season. Finally, Paris Saint-Germain got away with the French league honour by just edging out coach Franck Haise's Lens by a point. Les Sang et Or's second-place finish gave them the ticket to play UEFA Champions League football this term. After the draw ceremony, they found themselves in Group B alongside Sevilla, Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven. They opened their Champions League night with a draw against Sevilla, as Lens now host the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal themselves had an amazing last season and gave Man City the run for their money. This season too, the Gunners are right on track fighting for multiple titles including the Champions League. In their UCL opener, a 4-0 home win against PSV Eindhoven after a six-year absence from the competition has lifted the mood at the Emirates Stadium. Now they will travel to the northern city of Lens in France before the colossal Man City fixture awaits in the Premier League.

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 3 October 2023 at 8:00 PM BST

Wednesday, 4 October 2023 at 12:30 AM IST

Location: Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Form

Lens (in all competitions): W-W-D-L-L

Arsenal (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-W

Players to Watch

Elye Wahi (Lens)

After a second-place finish in Ligue 1, RC Lens knew other clubs would be making moves for their playres. Striker Loïs Openda was prized away by Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for what was a club record arrival for the German club. Lens got themselves a replacement a month later in the name of Elye Wahi. The Blood and Gold's big money signing has opened his goal-scoring account which also gave them the win last game against Strasbourg. Wahi will be a key player for the Arsenal challenge.

Kai Havertz (Arsenal)

Many people were curious about the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea FC this summer. Havertz hasn't lived up to the expectation of The Blues and now suddenly Mikel Arteta brings him home. The Gunners paid a whopping £65 million sum for a player who scored just 19 times in 91 Premier League appearances for Chelsea. Arsenal players though believe in Havertz as we have seen Havertz getting the chance to net a penalty. It surely must have helped his confidence and now will want to do better against RC Lens.

Match Facts

• RC Lens have picked themselves up after winning a draw against Sevilla on UCL's matchday 1. This gave them the confidence to win back-to-back Ligue 1 game
• The Gunners won their opening UCL fixture by 4-0 on the road and also have four clean sheets in four away fixture this season
• Both teams finished second in their domestic league last season

Injury & Team News for Lens vs Arsenal

The absentees in The Blood and Gold's dressing room will be Massadio Haïdara. The 30-year-old left-back hasn't played since the UCL 1-1 draw to Sevilla. He reportedly has a thigh injury to heal from. Other players on the injury list includes: David Costa, Jimmy Cabot and Wuilker Farinez. The later two have ACL injuries.

In the Bournemouth clash, Bukayo Saka was once again seen limping in the second half. Saka should be rested in this one given Arsenal have a huge clash with Man City later. On the treatment table, the Gunners have defender Jurrien Timber and defensive midfielder Thomas Partey. Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli can be given the greenlight for the game.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 2

Lens wins – 0

Arsenal wins – 1

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineup

Lens predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Samba (GK); Gradit, Danso, Medina; Aguilar, Mendy, Diouf, Machado; Sotoca, Fulgini; Wahi

Arsenal predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Raya (GK); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Nketiah, Jesus

Match Prediction for Lens vs Arsenal

Arsenal have an amazing away record, with four clean sheet in four away fixtures this season. Even includes 4-0 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven on UCL matchday 1. The Gunners could be without Saka but they have ample bench strength to get away in this one. The Ligue 1 side RC Lens had a poor start this season after finishing second in 2022-23. Although they are putting themselves back together after their 1-1 draw in UCL opener against Sevilla, they have a side in excellent cohesion visiting them. A hard fought away win could be the final result.

Prediction: Lens 1-3 Arsenal

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US –  CBS Sports

Nigeria – Supersport