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Several players in hot form feature prominently in our RC Lens vs Arsenal predicted lineups, as the Gunners travel to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis a quarter of a century after their first visit.
Kick off is at 20:00 in the UK, as Mikel Arteta hopes to continue his strong start to life at Europe’s top table.
RC Lens vs Arsenal predicted lineups and news
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The two sides haven’t met in this competition since the autumn of 1998, mere months after Arsenal had lifted their maiden PL title.
Arteta will be hoping to change Arsenal’s UCL fortunes against Lens, with the Gunners failing to beat Daniel Leclercq’s side at the time, drawing 1-1 at Tuesday’s venue during the group stage, before falling to a 1-0 defeat at Wembley.
Team news: RC Lens
Franck Haise’s side were held to a draw last time out in the Champions League, drawing 1-1 with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium with both goals coming in the first half.
In their previous league fixture, summer signing Elye Wahi scored his first goal for the club to claim the winner against Strasbourg, giving Haise’s side some confidence going into their challenge against Arsenal.
However, Lens are currently sat 15th in Ligue 1, having lost four of their opening seven league games, with one draw and two wins also recorded.
On the injury front, Massadio Haidara is still out of contention after suffering a blow against Sevilla, joining Jimmy Cabot, Wuilker Farinez and David Costa in the infirmary.
RC Lens predicted lineup
Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Mendy, Machado; Fulgini, Sotoca; Wahi
Team news: Arsenal
Arsenal marked their return to the Champions League with a dominant win over PSV in their Group B opener at the Emirates.
A 4-0 win was completed thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus as Arteta’s side took the early lead in the group.
In the Premier League, the Gunners also scored four in their most recent fixture, winning by the same scoreline at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth to continue their undefeated start to the campaign.
On the injury front, there were some question marks over the fitness of Saka after he suffered a knock, however the Englishman has trained with the squad alongside newly returning Thomas Partey, with questions remaining as to whether he will be rested against Lens.
Jurrien Timber is Arsenal’s only long-term absentee at present.
Arsenal predicted lineup
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Vieira; Trossard, Nketiah, Jesus
Will Gabriel Martinelli play against Lens?
There was some hope that Gabriel Martinelli would be back to feature against Lens ahead of the Gunners’ huge game against Manchester City on Sunday.
GABI 50 ✊
Friday’s strike against Southampton marked @gabimartinelli’s 50th goal contribution in the famous red and white ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LCnll1ogiH
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 25, 2023
Unfortunately, the Brazilian was not spotted in training this week, suggesting that he won’t be fit in time to secure some much-needed game time against the French outfit ahead of the Premier League clash.
The 22-year-old was forced off at Goodison Park against Everton earlier in September, with what has been revealed as a hamstring injury.
Arsenal are undoubtedly stronger with the winger in their side, as highlighted by the 21 goal contributions he made in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring 15 and assisting six in all competitions.
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