Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lens - Champions League
- Arsenal face French side Lens in their second Champions League group stage game this Tuesday
- The Gunners won their opening match against PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at the Emirates
- Mikel Arteta could be without the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus
Mikel Arteta's squad is beginning to look a little thin as the injuries pile up ahead of Arsenal's trip to RC Lens in the Champions League group stage on Tuesday.
The Gunners were emphatic 4-0 winners against PSV Eindhoven in their first European match of the season, beating Bournemouth by the same scoreline in their most recent Premier League clash on Saturday. Despite the club's unbeaten campaign so far, Arteta has a few selection headaches ahead of the trip to last season's Ligue 1 runners-up.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus are doubtful for the Lens encounter after sustaining knocks against the Cherries, while there is still question marks over Declan Rice's fitness. Arteta will have to make some big decisions ahead of the journey to France, with one eye on a mouthwatering clash with Manchester City next weekend.
Here is how Arteta could line up against Lens in the Champions League.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lens (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - The increasingly tedious debate over who Arsenal's number one goalkeeper is likely to rage on until one of them makes a significant error, but Raya has been pretty much flawless since arriving in the team. He should start again here.
RB: Ben White - Put in a delightful performance against Bournemouth and even capped it with a goal. Takehiro Tomiyasu is an option if Arteta wants to rotate, but White remains the clear first-choice right-back.
CB: William Saliba - He was a doubt to face Bournemouth, but played the full 90 on the south coast, putting in an impressive performance. Saliba's such a crucial player for the Gunners and his absence will be sorely felt if he's rested for this one.
CB: Gabriel - Will know all about Lens from his time competing in the Derby du Nord with Lille. Gabriel heads into the clash off the back of a strong performance at the weekend.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - Continually imposes himself on games from left-back, drifting into midfield effectively. Kieran Tierney's loan departure means he has nobody competing for his place.
CM: Martin Odegaard - The captain has been sensational yet again this season, putting in a man of the match performance against PSV in Arsenal's Champions League opener.
CM: Declan Rice - One or two concerns over his fitness, but seemed to get through Saturday's clash with no problems. Put in a darn good performance too.
CM: Kai Havertz - Arteta claimed his players "won his heart" by gifting their second penalty against Bournemouth to Havertz. The German slotted it home for his first Gunners goal, perhaps giving him an important confidence boost.
RW: Gabriel Jesus - Featured on the left flank over the past few games, replacing the injured Gabriel Martinelli, but could switch to the right to give Saka a rest. The Brazilian has played there in the past for Manchester City and is capable of filling in anywhere across the front three.
ST: Eddie Nketiah - Made some positive contributions against Bournemouth, winning a penalty just before half-time. Hasn't quite found his shooting boots yet this season, but has still been an asset up top.
LW: Leandro Trossard - Returned to the bench against the Cherries and could get a start here. Managed a goal and an assist against PSV last time out.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
feed