Lens vs Arsenal - Champions League: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction
- Arsenal travel to Lens in their second Champions League game of the season on Tuesday
- The Gunners thrashed PSV Eindhoven 4-0 in their first group-stage match
- Mikel Arteta's side remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this campaign
Arsenal's first Champions League clash in over six years was well worth the wait. Mikel Arteta guided the Gunners to an emphatic 4-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven on matchday one, with attention now turning to RC Lens.
Arsenal travel to France on Tuesday evening to face last season's Ligue 1 runners-up with the aim of extending their lead at the top of Group B. Lens drew with Sevilla in their opener and are struggling to rediscover the form they exhibited last season, having won just two of their first seven league matches.
Bournemouth were the most recent team to feel the wrath of this excellent Arsenal side, enduring a 4-0 humbling in the Premier League at the weekend. The Gunners are yet to be beaten this season and it would take a spectacular Lens performance to change that this week.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal's trip to the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
What time does Lens vs Arsenal kick-off?
- Location: Lens, France
- Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis
- Date: Tuesday 3 October
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Marco Guida (ITA)
- VAR: Paolo Valeri (ITA)
Lens vs Arsenal H2H record (last five games)
- Lens: 1 win
- Arsenal: 2 wins
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: Lens 1-2 Arsenal (UEFA Cup) - 20/04/2000
Current form (all competitions)
- Lens: WWDLL
- Arsenal: WWDWW
How to watch Lens vs Arsenal on TV and live stream
Country | TV channel / live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 2, discovery+, discovery+ App |
United States | Paramount+, ViX |
Canada | DAZN |
Arsenal team news
Arteta may have been pleased by his side's dominant performance over Bournemouth on Saturday, but he was immediately concerned with injuries suffered by Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
The good news is that both start for Arsenal, forming a front three that includes Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Martinelli is nearing a return but doesn't make the squad, while Eddie Nketiah is dropped to the bench.
Thomas Partey returns to the bench after being sidelined since August 26, but he'll have a watching brief as the impressive Declan Rice continues in the holding role.
Arsenal confirmed lineup vs Lens
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lens (4-3-3): Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Lens vs Arsenal score prediction
There is no such thing as an easy away fixture in Europe's premier competition, with the Stade Bollaert-Delelis bracing itself for a first Champions League game since 2003. The atmosphere will be electric inside the 38,000-capacity arena, with Arsenal likely to be put under some early pressure.
However, this isn't the Lens of last season. Having lost important figures such as Openda and club captain Seko Fofana, Haise's side have struggled for form in the opening weeks of the season, despite recent back-to-back wins.
Arsenal's quality should prevail on Tuesday evening, even with some injury concerns. Arteta could choose to rest the likes of Saka and Rice, but the Gunners' understudies should be able to deliver the goods regardless.
Prediction: Lens 0-2 Arsenal
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