Arsenal lost their star winger and then the game at Lens, failing to seize control of their UEFA Champions League Group B with a 2-1 loss at the Estadio Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday.
The Gunners led through a Gabriel Jesus assisted by Bukayo Saka, but Saka was soon injured and Lens scored the match’s remaining two goals to secure a second point in group stage play. Mikel Arteta gave an update on Saka after the game, describing the injury as “something muscular” and not declaring the player in or out of the lineup.
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Arsenal had a feel-good away pounding of Bournemouth at the weekend and hadn’t lost game since a May 20 loss at Nottingham Forest, but this defeat carries much more meaning.
Lens star Elye Wahi — linked with a Premier League move for much of the summer — set up an Adrien Thomasson goal in the 25th minute before scoring himself 44 minutes later. It’s a huge win for Lens, which had been struggling this season, just above the bottom three with seven points from its first seven matches in Ligue 1.
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But they drew 1-1 at Sevilla and have won their last two league games. And they’ve now secured a bigger result.
Lens summits the group on four points, one more than Arsenal. Sevilla is next with two points following a draw that gives PSV Eindhoven its first point.
What’s next?
Arsenal hosts Manchester City at 11:30am ET Sunday. The Gunners’ next Champions League outing comes Oct. 24 at Sevilla.
Arsenal vs Lens final score: 1-2
Goals: Jesus (14'), Thomasson (25'), Wahi (69')
Arsenal vs Lens: How to watch live, stream, updates
Date: Tuesday, October 3
Kick off: 3pm ET
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Bukayo Saka injury update: England star subs early
Bukayo Saka was in fine form against Lens, assisting Gabriel Jesus’ 14th minute goal as the Gunners flew out of the gates.
But the England star signaled that his race was run and then dropped to the pitch with an apparent non-contact leg injury.
Saka left the game after 34 minutes, replaced by Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal lineup
🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 3, 2023
🇯🇵 Tomi at the back
🇧🇪 Trossard on the wing
🇧🇷 Jesus leads the line
Let’s do this - together! pic.twitter.com/vTVZ5HxfBL
Lens lineup
#RCLARS, c’est dans une heure ! 🔥
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) October 3, 2023
Voici 𝐥𝐞𝐬 1⃣1⃣ 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐫 alignés par Franck Haise pour affronter @Arsenal en @ChampionsLeague ! 👊
➡️ Seul changement par rapport à la J1 de #UCL : Adrien Thomasson entre dans le onze.#FierDEtreLensois pic.twitter.com/GsO8aoSx2L