Key occasions
60 min: half-hour to play and this might go both manner. It’s so tough to not surmise that Arsenal are a lot a lesser staff with out Saka.
59 min: Raya launches the ball and Vieira virtually chases the ball down earlier than Lens achieve management. Let’s name {that a} change in techniques.
57 min: Raya stands on the ball with air of confidence of an beautiful ballplayer. Then rolls the ball ahead. From being so open for a lot of the primary half, this has change into tight, very tactical. Lens are an honest, highly effective staff.
55 min: Chris Lambert is raging: “It seems Arteta, like Wenger, is a brilliant manager was some weirdly glaring blind spots. He lost Saliba insisting on playing his first XI away on a Thursday night, and now he’s lost Saka vs City because he continues to ask him to play 8,000 games a season. He’s not the Terminator ffs, give the man a night off.”
54 min: Havertz – sure, Havertz – completes an honest defensive header. See, he does have some makes use of.
53 min: Raya punches the ball clear, and never very convincingly. There’s no touchline picture of Aaron Ramsdale to indicate his assist for his shut pal/bitter rival. Raya has not had the steadiest recreation.
52 min: Arsenal search to assault down the left the place Vieira and Jesus have swapped positions. Once the ball goes centrally, Havertz loses the ball.
51 min: Trossard, once more reducing in, will get fouled. Odegaard takes up the free-kick duties, however the ball is just into the shins of the Lens defenders.
49 min: Suddenly, Havertz, the aforementioned, performs in Trossard, a rather well weighted move and Trossard cuts in and virtually has his shot deflected in. That’s what Kai can do. But additionally Emile Smith Rowe, too.
47 min: With no Martinelli or Saka this can be a very totally different Arsenal assault. Though maybe retaining possession is the higher a part of valour right here.
46 min: Back underway and a really loud Lens crowd, all singing a membership anthem collectively earlier than we resume. A somewhat vociferous homme on the mic provides it the massive one earlier than Lens take the kick-off.
Charles Antaki begins riffing: “The Arsenal fan’s stream of consciousness as they sit back and mull over events will include worries about Bukayo Saka… Why was even started… how culpable was Ryer for that rick at the back… wonder what Ramsdale is thinking… Havertz – is he actually any good, or not, really, after all… Tomiyasu – looks a bit wooden tonight… Declan Rice, isn’t he great? Et cetera and so on and so forth, until the game restarts, and then it’s back to just simple anxiety..”
Danny Whybrow’s thoughts’s made up: “When will Arteta give up on project Havertz? Fair enough he took his penalty well at the weekend but his body language is still all wrong. He’s gone from making mistakesto hiding around the pitch. I want him to do well but with ESR on the bench…enough is enough.”
Charlotte Daniels is in contact too: “Nice underreported stat for you: Arsenal came second in Division one and Premier League a total of five times in the 20th century. In the 21st century Arsenal have come second six times and we’re only up to 2023.”
Martin Hughes will get in contact: “As somebody of the correct classic to recollect, simply thought I’d level out that though ‘98 saw the last Champions League meeting between Arsenal and Lens, they actually met more recently in a UEFA Cup semi in 2000. Just an excuse to remind people of another classic (is there any other kind?) Bergkamp strike really.”
Half-time: Lens 1-1 Arsenal
A fair scoreline, since as Arsenal have dominated the half’s probabilities, they’ve been open on the again. That was a mistake from Raya which will curiosity Pep Guardiola whereas Bukayo Saka faces a race towards time to face City. And there’s nonetheless 45 minutes extra to see out.
45+2 min: The free-kick is cleared and Odegaard switches play to Jesus, who’s in area however this opportunity shouldn’t be taken with the identical proficiency because the opening aim.
45 min: Two minutes are added on. Tomiyasu will get flattened as tries to overlap and a free-kick outcomes from his proper flank.
44 min: John Cox: “For the Ewing effect look no further than 2023 Spurs, or indeed 2022 Arsenal post-Aubameyang.”
Raya and Saliba attempt to play the ball out and are way more profitable than for the Lens equaliser.
43 min: Kai Havertz is having a type of video games the place he’s current however not concerned.
41 min: “Trossard has had an uncharacteristic stinker,” says Carlos Izquierdo. “Lots of heavy touches so far. What has ESR done to Arteta to have fallen so far down the order? Will hurt us to see him in another kit next year.”
Isn’t he again and taking part in minutes now? But sure, some fall from somebody who appeared so key to the brand new Arsenal. Injuries have been merciless to him.
40 min: Vieira out extensive is a distinct proposition to the pace of Saka. Arsenal’s buildup is extra deliberate than it was.
38 min: Saliba skips away from a few Lens tackles, and Arsenal get the ball all the best way as much as Trossard after which Rice once more comes to reap possession.
36 min: Declan Rice drives on from midfield however Lens get again in numbers, and a affected person buildup ends in Trossard spinning off. Lens defender Gradit tackles again to concede a nook.
Saka goes off with a muscular drawback
33 min: Doesn’t look good, and the difficulty seems to be muscular. On comes the physio, and there’s some stretching out being carried out. Looks like a hamstring, and Fabio Vieira comes on as a substitute. Big blow for Arsenal. It’s Manchester City on the weekend.
31 min: “In other news, Leo Skiri Østigård has scored for Napoli against Real Madrid, as has Rasmus Højlund for Manchester United against Galatasaray. Sort of feels like a gauntlet thrown at the feet of another player in action with an Ø in his name – Martin Ødegaard.
Sincerely, Peter Øh, er, Oh.”
Well døne, Peter.
30 min: On Messi v Ronaldo, as we tackle Lens v Ronaldo, Joe Pearson is again: “Going deep here on the Messi/Ronaldo thing. There is a thing in American sports known as the Ewing Theory. Named after former NBA player Patrick Ewing, it basically posits that when a team loses a player who sucks up all the media and is purportedly THE STAR, that the team actually gets better. I would argue that Ronaldo is a prime example. Not sure about Messi.”
Daragh Thomas is again too: “On a more interesting note, I love the Arsenal green away kit. It’s in stark contrast to the awful yellow monstrosity they’ve been using in the premier league.”
28 min: Gabriel takes a knock however is again up, Lens are again in numbers now. This is popping out to be a troublesome project. Trossard provides up the ball and it’s geared toward Wahi, whose hold-up play arrange the equaliser.
26 min: Some aim from Lens, a mistake from Raya. This sweeper-keeper factor could be so harmful. Unless your keeper has the contact of Glenn Hoddle, it will possibly go so mistaken. Having your worst ball-player in essentially the most harmful spot, effectively, there’s a purpose that so many managers have most well-liked the ball to be Row Z first.
Goal! Lens 1-1 Arsenal (Thomasson, 25)
Arsenal get in a large number, and Wahi steps inside and units up Thomasson whose end is unerring, and arrows past Raya. The transfer started with Raya taking part in the ball out and it got here straight again on the Arsenal defence.
24 min: Lens probability, coming from down the wing the place Zinchenko has stepped into midfield, with Adrien Thomasson volleying extensive.
23 min: Jesus runs again to press and intercept, and that units the Lens defenders arguing with one another. He’s a pest, and a harmful one.
20 min: Kai Havertz, but to attain in open play for Arsenal, is chipped by however fails to beat the goalkeeper. Did he assume he was offside?
18 min: Lens’ fireplace extinguished just a little. The followers preserve singing, although, as they do on the continent. You could be at a Ligue 1 and Bundesliga recreation and never discover the aural distinction between a staff thrashing a bitter rival and getting gubbed. We English – and our cousins throughout the isles – are a greater gauge of the sport by way of the temper of the group. We know a superb groan/to giant it once we see it.
16 min: Daragh Thomas reopen a debate for the ages: “Both Messi and Ronalo have been a detriment for any team they’ve played for (in Europe for years), both the teams and their leagues are much better off without them. The love Messi would get for a simple pass was astonishing.”
Have to agree that it’s good European soccer has moved on. The USA appears gripped by Messi fever, even when Billy Sharp is outshining the good man.
15 min: A reminder that Arsenal are additionally speedy on the break. Is there a faster staff on the break in soccer?
Goal! Lens 0-1 Arsenal (Jesus, 14)
Arsenal choose the lock, press the ball out, and Saka reads a move, sees Jesus who forges on and finishes. Lovely aim, that was medical.
13 min: Lens are speedy on the break. Arsenal can flood midfield at their peril.
12 min: Zinchenko steps into midfield as Arsenal attempt to settle into possession. Lens chase them laborious, utilizing the urgent recreation Mikel Arteta pinpointed in pre-match. They sit again to carry their line after which clear up after Trossard’s flick fails to dig Odegaard by. Declan Rice reclaims the ball.
10 min: Lens in the meantime have been somewhat respectable, actually elevating their recreation, and in management. Raya has to say a excessive ball aimed for Wahi.
9 min: Joe Pearson is comfortable sufficient with the Champions League. “Very excited for the football today! So many tasty fixtures. Obviously the Premier League matchups, but also Napoli v Madrid, Inter v Benfica, and PSV v Sevilla. I’m going to have to watch one of those whiparound shows just to keep up.”
Aleksander Čeferin likes this.
8 min: Kurt will get in contact: “It is hard to believe this is the first UEFA Champions League in 21 years (2002-03) not to have Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi or both.” Perhaps that’s why a look at this yr’s competitors appears to lack some glitter. But issues have to maneuver on.
7 min: Arsenal search to relaxation on the ball by taking part in it round. Then they go too rapidly and Saka can’t get to a move. There’s no must be fairly so hasty.
5 min: Raya comes off his line from the nook and Danso, up from defence, smashes extensive. That was an enormous probability for Lens.
4 min: Gabriel is pressured to knock behind and the nook is cleared, and as Jesus and Saka attempt to get clear, they’re stopped of their tracks. Lens are filled with zip and Tomiyasu has to concede one other nook.
2 min: Lens haven’t been going nice weapons in Ligue 1 whereas Arsenal are doing fairly properly, with out hitting the highest gear of final season. Except towards PSV, after all.
1 min: And away we go in France, as Arsenal search to get their Champions League group sorted as quickly as doable. There’s smoke and whistles filling the air.
In Lens, the Champions League anthem is ringing out, and there’s fairly the environment in a stadium chances are you’ll recall from France 98 and Euro 2016. An important massive wall of crimson and yellow behind one of many targets. Loads of tifo and pyro. Proper stuff.
Richard McKeary will get in contact: “I don’t know what grates more in my memory of Arsenal’s ill fated use of Wembley for those CL ties in ‘98 – the results or that abominable Frankenstein’s monster of a kit we wore versus Lens. Dark blue, red and white? Zut alors! (Forgive the monstrous mixed metaphors).”
Arsenal draw did 1-1 at Lens, thoughts.
Mikel Arteta speaks to TNT Sports, beginning on that powerful journey. “We cannot control it, We had to stay together and we had a good time. We will play a beautiful game today, It’s a big night, a really good test. [On Trossard and Tomiyasu coming in] The way we aim to play, giving minutes, everyone deserves a chance to play. It will be a very intense game on high press, a lot of situations, a lot of transition moments.”
It wasn’t simple in transit for Arsenal to get to France.
Mikel Arteta and his squad had been ready within the non-public terminal at Luton airport effectively into Monday night after their airplane, which had been on account of depart at 4.15pm, was grounded due to opposed climate. They ultimately flew simply after 9pm.
It meant preparations for his or her first away outing on this competitors for six-and-a-half years had been thrown into chaos, with Arteta being pressured to cancel his obligatory media commitments and the prospect of a late arrival in France which means a hasty change of schedule.
Here’s Group B’s embryonic desk.
For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka begins, having limped off towards Bournemouth. He’s such a hardy sort, performs each minute he can. In phrases of the Champions League, it’s only one Gunners change with Tomiyasu in for Ben White from the correct hammering handed out to PSV.
Lens make one change from their draw with Sevilla, Thomasson in for Fulgini.
Back to 2023 – here is the groups
Lens: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Machado, Sotoca, Thomasson, Wahi. Subs: Aguilar, Fulgini, Leca, Diouf, Maouassa, Said, El Aynaoui, Khusanov, Guilavogui, Pandor.
Arsenal: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard. Subs: Ramsdale, White, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Elneny, Hein.
Referee: Vladimir Antonov (Moldova)
Preamble…again to 1998
Arsenal started their return to the Champions League with a bang in demolishing PSV, now for a visit to northern, industrial France and Lens. Those of classic could recall the final time these two met, when Highbury was thought of too small and Premiership champions Arsenal made an ill-fated resolution to play house video games on the outdated Wembley Empire Stadium. Lens had been French champions again then, with that includes striker Tony Vairelles. Whatever occurred to him? A search reveals he’s serving jail time in France for the taking pictures of nightclub bouncers, alongside along with his three brothers…blimey. Other names chances are you’ll recall from their squad of that season: Alex Nyarko, not particularly cherished at Everton, Stephane Dalmat, as soon as of Spurs, Franck Quedrue, of Boro, Fulham and Birmingham fame and their star man, Vladimir Smicer, later of Liverpool glory in Istanbul fame.
Lens gained 1-0 to all however finish Arsenal’s Champions League probabilities in a yr they had been closely fancied.
Taking on Arsene Wenger that night time was Guy Roux, the wiliest French supervisor of all.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman; Dixon, Adams, Keown, Winterburn; Parlour, Garde, Hughes, Overmars; Wreh, Anelka.
Lens (4-4-2): Warmuz; Sikora, Magnier, Dehu, Lachor; Debeve, Smicer, Nyarko, Rool; Nouma, Vairelles.
Referee: A Frisk (Sweden).
And a well-known referee, too. Time and tide have modified each membership’s outlooks, Lens return to the competitors after lower-league spells, and even after reaching this yr’s competitors needed to lose two of their greatest gamers in Lois Openda, to Leipzig, and Seko Fofana, now of Al-Nassr within the Saudi Pro-League. Last outing, they drew 1-1 with Sevilla, and Franck Haise, their supervisor, will probably be pulling of an almighty coup if he follows in Roux’s footsteps.
Kick-off is 8pm UK time. Join me.
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