Lens 2-1 Arsenal: Elye Wahi completes comeback as Gunners lose unbeaten record in France on historic night for Lens
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Updated 03/10/2023 at 21:40 GMT
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta suffered a tough evening in France as they lost both their unbeaten record as well as star player Bukayo Saka to injury. The Gunners took the lead through Gabriel Jesus but they were undone as Lens, roared on by an incredible crowd in France came back and scored twice, with Elye Wahi scoring the winner on a historic night for the Ligue 1 club.
La joie d'Elye Wahi, buteur face à Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Gabriel Jesus continued his fine scoring run in the UEFA Champions League but Arsenal’s night turned sour as Bukayo Saka was forced off early in a 2-1 reversal at Lens that marked the Gunners’ first defeat of the season.
Mikel Arteta’s side weathered a vibrant start from the hosts before taking the lead on 14 minutes when Saka won possession high up the pitch and set up Jesus to fire a superb 18-yard strike into the far corner.
Lens responded and Adrien Thomasson guided a delightful first-time effort into the far corner 11 minutes later after a poor kick from goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal almost regained the lead when Takehiro Tomiyasu was magnificently denied by Brice Samba in the second period before the French side won it 21 minutes from time when Elye Wahi guided a wonderful first-time shot into the far corner.
The Gunners pushed late on but Samba came to the rescue again right at the death to ensure Lens’ first match at home in the Champions League in over 20 years ended with a famous victory.
The result means the French side top Group B with four points. Arsenal are second on three points with Sevilla on two and PSV on one.
Arsenal will now switch focus to a huge match at the summit of the Premier League at home to Man City on Sunday. Meanwhile, Lens host Lille in Ligue 1.
Talking Point
Will Arsenal be left sweating on Saka’s fitness for Sunday?
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown claimed ‘it couldn’t have gone much worse’ for The Gunners when offering his post-match verdict on TNT Sports.
Not only did Arsenal let a lead slip in a tough away match and lose their unbeaten start to the campaign, but they also relinquished control of the group and saw key man Saka limp off.
Indeed, the 22-year-old has been forced off early in his last three matches for the club and fans and pundits alike have already been suggesting Arteta should probably rest the youngster.
His decision to start the forward in Lens may well have backfired as this latest injury concern is all the more worrying given that it is Manchester City next up, in a clash that will be seen as a barometer of where the Londoners stand in terms of this season’s Premier League title race.
Player of the match
Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens). Defended resolutely throughout but also offered a major threat down the right wing. Produced a series of dangerous crosses and was crucial to the French side securing victory.
Player Ratings
LENS: Samba 8, Gradit 7, Danso 8, Medina 8, Frankowski 8*, Mendy 7, Abdul Samed 7, Machado 7, Sotoca 7, Wahi 8, Thomasson 8. Subs: Fulgini 6, Diouf 6, Said 6, Aguilar 6.
ARSENAL: Raya 6, Tomiyasu 7, Saliba 7, Gabriel 7, Zinchenko 7, Rice 7, Odegaard 6, Havertz 6, Saka 7, Jesus 7, Trossard 6. Subs: Vieira 6, White 6, Nelson 6, Smith-Rowe 6, Nketiah n/a.
Match Highlights
14’ – GOAL! – Lens 0-1 Arsenal. The visitors silence the home crowd and it's Gabriel Jesus who is the party pooper. Saka seizes upon a poor error on the right and feeds his teammate, who drops a shoulder before rifling a low shot into the far corner from 18 yards out.
25’ – GOAL! – Lens 1-1 Arsenal. Thomasson guides a wonderful first-time shot into the far corner from the left side of the area after Lens pounced at speed to take advantage of a poor kick from Raya.
49’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Havertz plays in Trossard on the left side of the area. The forward fakes a cross and cuts inside before forcing a smart stop out of Samba at his near post.
62’ – LENS CHANCE! Salis Abdul Samed skews a first-time shot into the near post side netting from 10 yards out after superb play down the right from Thomasson.
66’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Tomiyasu arrives in the middle of the area to catch a left-wing corner on the volley but Samba somehow denies him with a quite brilliant stop.
69’ – GOAL! – Lens 2-1 Arsenal. Elye Wahi sweeps home Frankowski's low cross with a superb first-time shot that he guides into the far corner.
89’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Arsenal finally put together an excellent move. It's worked to a spare man on the right side of the box, who crosses for Nelson. Samba saves magnificently but as the ball threatens to bobble for a tap-in, it's miraculously cleared deep inside the six-yard box. Will that be it for Arsenal's hopes now?
Key Stats
Gabriel Jesus has scored 17 goals in his 25 starts in the UEFA Champions League; he is the third Arsenal player to score in each of his first two appearances for the club in the competition, after Marouane Chamakh and Lukas Podolski.
Saka becomes the first player with five goals and five assists in all competitions this season for a club in Europe's top five leagues.
Lens are unbeaten in the last six UCL games where they conceded the first goal (W3 D3), only Manchester United have had a longer run in the competition (8 between March 1998 and September 1999).
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