Key events
For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka starts, having limped off against Bournemouth. He’s such a hardy type, plays every minute he can. In terms of the Champions League, it’s just one Gunners change with Tomiyasu in for Ben White from the right hammering handed out to PSV.
Lens make one change from their draw with Sevilla, Thomasson in for Fulgini.
Back to 2023 – here’s the teams
Lens: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Machado, Sotoca, Thomasson, Wahi. Subs: Aguilar, Fulgini, Leca, Diouf, Maouassa, Said, El Aynaoui, Khusanov, Guilavogui, Pandor.
Arsenal: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard. Subs: Ramsdale, White, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Elneny, Hein.
Referee: Vladimir Antonov (Moldova)
Preamble…back to 1998
Arsenal began their return to the Champions League with a bang in demolishing PSV, now for a trip to northern, industrial France and Lens. Those of vintage may recall the last time these two met, when Highbury was considered too small and Premiership champions Arsenal made an ill-fated decision to play home games at the old Wembley Empire Stadium. Lens were French champions back then, with featuring striker Tony Vairelles. Whatever happened to him? A search reveals he is serving prison time in France for the shooting of nightclub bouncers, along with his three brothers…blimey. Other names you may recall from their squad of that season: Alex Nyarko, not especially loved at Everton, Stephane Dalmat, once of Spurs, Franck Quedrue, of Boro, Fulham and Birmingham fame and their star man, Vladimir Smicer, later of Liverpool glory in Istanbul fame.
Lens won 1-0 to all but end Arsenal’s Champions League chances in a year they were heavily fancied.
Taking on Arsene Wenger that night was Guy Roux, the wiliest French manager of all.
Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman; Dixon, Adams, Keown, Winterburn; Parlour, Garde, Hughes, Overmars; Wreh, Anelka.
Lens (4-4-2): Warmuz; Sikora, Magnier, Dehu, Lachor; Debeve, Smicer, Nyarko, Rool; Nouma, Vairelles.
Referee: A Frisk (Sweden).
And a famous referee, too. Time and tide have changed both club’s outlooks, Lens return to the competition after lower-league spells, and even after reaching this year’s competition had to lose two of their best players in Lois Openda, to Leipzig, and Seko Fofana, now of Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League. Last time out, they drew 1-1 with Sevilla, and Franck Haise, their manager, will be pulling of an almighty coup if he follows in Roux’s footsteps.
Kick-off is 8pm UK time. Join me.
