Arsenal return to Champions League action against RC Lens this Wednesday. So, here is everything you need to know, including how to watch their Emirates Stadium match.
The Gunners can secure the top spot in Group B with any win over Les Sang et Or. But Mikel Arteta will be aware of the Ligue 1 club’s threat after losing 2-1 at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in October. Franck Haise’s side came back from a goal behind after a mistake by David Raya.
Adrien Thomasson drew Lens level against Arsenal after Raya carelessly turned over the ball. Deiver Machado intercepted the Spaniard’s sloppy switch toward Takehiro Tomiyasu, before Thomasson curled in a cute shot. Elye Wahi scored their winner whilst unmarked in the box.
Arsenal responded to the shock defeat at Lens to lead Group B after back-to-back wins over Sevilla. The Gunners can now wrap up the top spot by beating Les Sang et Or. A point would also be enough if Sevilla can beat PSV Eindhoven earlier on Wednesday in the 17:45 kick-off.
PSV will still have to host Arsenal on December 12 but already trail the north London side by four points. The Eredivisie team sit second in Group B through four games after beating Lens 1-0 last time out. So, here is everything you need to know before Lens’ trip over to Arsenal…
When is Arsenal vs RC Lens?
UEFA has scheduled the Group B tie between Arsenal and RC Lens at Emirates Stadium for Wednesday, November 29. Their Champions League tie will also kick-off at 20:00 following the full-time whistle for the earlier 17:45 kick-off fixture between Sevilla and PSV Eindhoven.
How to watch Arsenal vs RC Lens
Fans in the UK can watch Arsenal’s Champions League tie at home to RC Lens live on TNT Sports 2. The fixture will also be available to watch in 4K on TNT Sports Ultimate. While BBC Radio 5 Live will offer audio commentary of the meeting, with its coverage starting at 20:00.
Live stream of Arsenal vs RC Lens
A live stream of the Champions League fixture between Arsenal and RC Lens is available for UK-based fans on Discovery+. Supporters with an applicable subscription package can also watch the game online through the relevant streaming service for their broadcast providers.
Arsenal team and injury news
The latest Arsenal injury news should please Arteta having welcomed Martin Odegaard back from his concussion at Brentford last Saturday. But the Gunners will remain without a few of their first-team players for the visit of RC Lens to north London in midweek owing to injuries.
Brentford also saw the return of Gabriel Jesus following his hamstring injury and Ben White featured as a late substitute after a knee injury. Both, plus Odegaard, should be available to face Lens on Wednesday. But Fabio Vieira has now undergone surgery due to a fresh injury.
Odegaard, Jesus and White returning at Brentford left Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber receiving treatment at London Colney. Arteta faces being without Partey until 2024 with his thigh injury and Smith Rowe is not due back until December with a knee issue.
Arsenal fear Timber will not return this season, however, after a setback in his recovery from an ACL injury. The defender has been absent since the opening match of the Premier League term. He would need surgery for the non-contact injury suffered against Nottingham Forest.
Prediction: Arsenal (2) vs (1) RC Lens
Arsenal will host RC Lens at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday confident about their chances of avenging October’s defeat. But Arteta should expect another close encounter with Haise’s side proving a resilient unit. They have conceded just four goals in Europe so far this season.
Lens have further only conceded 13 times in their 13 Ligue 1 fixtures so far this term. Three of their 16-goal haul also came in their last match as Les Sang et Or beat Clermont Foot 3-0 on the road. It followed a 1-0 win over Marseille in an eight-match domestic unbeaten streak.
Only PSV Eindhoven have beaten Lens since September 16, at which point they were still yet to win a single game in all competitions this term. But Arsenal will sense they can atone for a 2-1 defeat at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis having won 4-0 at home to PSV and also Sevilla 2-0.
Arsenal have also only dropped points at Emirates Stadium twice so far this season across all competitions. The Gunners have drawn against Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur amidst a 10-game unbeaten run at home. They also have four clean sheets in their last six home fixtures.
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