Arsenal will only need to earn a point against Lens tonight to book their place in this season’s Champions League knockout stages. The Gunners will be out for revenge after losing to their French opponents in the reverse fixture but Mikel Arteta will be without a number of injured players, while there are doubts hanging over a couple of selection choices ahead of kick-off.
Express Sport takes a look at how Arsenal could line up against Lens at the Emirates Stadium…
Goalkeeper – Raya
David Raya was ineligible to play against his parent club Brentford last weekend but will almost certainly go straight back in for Arsenal this evening. Aaron Ramsdale managed to keep a clean sheet against the Bees but was shaky throughout, with his performance doing little to swing proceedings back in his favour.
The Gunners will be hoping for another shutout against their next opponents, with Elye Wahi set to lead the line for Lens despite being suspended for domestic matches.
Defence – Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko
It would not be a surprise to see Arteta name an unchanged back four tonight, especially with Ben White still being nursed back from a troublesome knee issue. He replaced Bukayo Saka in the closing stages against Brentford and may be forced to settle for another bench role if Takehiro Tomiyasu keeps his place on the right-hand side.
There will be no shocks elsewhere at the back, with Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko set to make up the rest of Arsenal’s defensive unit.
Midfield – Rice, Odegaard, Havertz
Declan Rice will likely be trusted in his familiar holding role against Lens, while Martin Odegaard looks set to play alongside the former West Ham ace in the middle of the park. Kai Havertz is also well-placed to retain a starting spot after bagging a late winner against Brentford last time around.
Fabio Vieira, meanwhile, has been ruled out after undergoing groin surgery and joins the likes of Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe on the treatment table.
Attack – Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Arteta will have another injury dilemma to solve when it comes to Gabriel Jesus, who has only just recovered from a hamstring problem. It will mark his third start in just seven days if he is given the nod, which could open the door for Leandro Trossard to play up front as he did against Sevilla.
Gabriel Martinelli is likely to occupy the left flank for the Gunners, while Eddie Nketiah will be ready to come on and make an impact if he is called upon in the closing stages of the match.
Possible Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Tomiyasu, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko; Rice, Odegaard, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
