Premier League leader Arsenal can qualify for the second round of the Champions League on Wednesday night with a win over Lens in Group B.
The Gunners go into matchday No. 5 four points ahead of second-place PSV Eindhoven and third-place Lens.
Zinchenko to the rescue 🦸♂️📸 Shot by Pitchside. pic.twitter.com/Z3GA0CVCnM— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 27, 2023
Zinchenko to the rescue 🦸♂️📸 Shot by Pitchside. pic.twitter.com/Z3GA0CVCnM
A win wouldn’t just seal progress to the second round, but it would ensure Arsenal win Group B, with a game to spare.
Mikel Arteta knows Wednesday’s game against Lens won’t be straightforward, however.
The French club defeated Arsenal at the Stade Bollaert Delelis on matchday No. 2. Despite Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring in the 14th minute for Arsenal, Lens powered back scoring in the 25th minute through Adrien Thomasson and Sepe Wahi in the 69th.
Lens will be confident of winning a second time against Arsenal. However, this time, the French club must win at the Emirates.
Arsenal are coming off a 1-0 win over Brentford at the weekend in the Premier League. It was their second straight league win.
The Gunners’ two league wins came alongside back-to-back Champions League victories over Sevilla.
Arsenal went to Seville and claimed a 2-1 win before winning 2-0 at the Emirates.
The Gunners scored nine goals in their opening five Champions League matches and conceded three. Lens scored two of those three goals versus the Gunners.
Lens are third in the group but level on points with second-place PSV Eindhoven. Despite having a better goal difference, Lens are third due to their head-to-head record versus PSV.
A win over Arsenal and PSV dropping points to Sevilla in Spain on Wednesday would send the French club into second place with one matchday left to play.
It would take Arsenal’s qualification for the second round down to the final day.
Lens scored just four goals in their opening four Champions League games. They conceded four goals in that time.
The Blood Red and Gold started the Ligue 1 season slowly but are now up to sixth place.
The French club went unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 games and won each of their last two fixtures.
Lens defeated Marseille and Clermont Foot in their last two Ligue 1 matches, keeping clean sheets in both fixtures.
Arteta will be without midfielder Thomas Partey following a muscle injury. Midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe is unlikely to play following a knee injury.
Lens will be without forward Morgan Guilavogui due to a suspension. Defender Deiver Machado is out with a groin injury.
Midfielder Oscar Cortes could play following a thigh injury. Forward Jimmy Cabot is unlikely to play following an ACL injury.
Goalier Wuilker Farinez is back in training following a knee injury but may not be fit to play.
Arsenal should qualify for the second round of the Champions League with a narrow, 1-0 win, over Lens at home. Although Lens won the reverse fixture, playing at home will help the Gunners get the three points in Group B.