Gunners fall to defeat in France

Arsenal fell to defeat after taking the lead in France with Bukayo Saka also withdrawn due to injury after 33 minutes.

It was a good start for Mikel Arteta’s team in a tough atmosphere that was helped by an opening goal in the 14th minute.

A combination of poor passing from Lens and good pressure from Arsenal resulted in the home side conceding possession to Bukayo Saka. The 22-year-old quickly fed the ball to Gabriel Jesus who had a lot to do but did well to find space and fire an accurate shot into the corner past Brice Samba.

But Arsenal’s lead lasted just over ten minutes and David Raya will have to take some share of the blame for conceding it.

It was Raya’s pass out that conceded possession. There was still a lot of space between the Lens players and the Arsenal goal but two quick passes saw Adrien Thomasson played through. The midfielder then curled a beautiful effort into the far corner that Raya had no chance of stopping.

The big worry for Arsenal just days before facing Manchester City at the Emirates will be that Bukayo Saka had to be substituted due to a potential heel injury with just over half an hour gone in the game. 

Fábio Vieira took Saka’s place in the team but Arsenal looked to have lost their attacking spark from that point on.

The home side were much improved after the break and they took the lead in the 68th minute after a fine passing move that ended with Elye Wahi getting the finishing touch to put Lens 2-1 ahead.

Arteta made three changes immediately after going behind with Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Ben White all coming on but the Gunners couldn’t find their way back into the game.

This is Arsenal’s first defeat of the season with a tricky run of goings with City next before Chelsea and Sevilla – who drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven in the other game – after the international break.

xG: Lens (0.74) 2-1 (1.01) Arsenal

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— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 3, 2023