please log in to view this image Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Wednesday 29th November 2023 KO time: 20:00 GMT Overall Record Wins: 2 Losses: 2 Draws: 1 Last six meetings RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal RC Lens 1-2 Arsenal Arsenal 1-0 RC Lens Arsenal 0-1 RC Lens RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Smash it to 3-0 by half time and get top spot guaranteed. Then take off all the big guns and don't play them in anymore CL games until February KO stages.
We need to play as many players comfortable playing between the lines as possible in central areas. Lens play a 5-4-1 mid block away from home and will look for any turnovers in possession to hit us on the counter with their pacy forwards. They've picked up some form in recent weeks, but we should be looking to win this fairly comfortably.
Just something I wanted to say about this game - I think it's highly unlikely we win this game 3-0/4-0 like some people online are predicting. Lens have conceded 3 goals in all competitions since 8th October. 1 of those goals was in the league, 2 were in the Champions League. They are a resolute outfit and will set up to block any space in central areas to force us to go wide. They're definitely going to double up on Martinelli and Saka too. Moving the ball quickly and purposefully, with lots of off the ball movement and rotations between the front 3 (and late runs into the box from our midfielders), will be crucial in breaking them down. This is going to be a tricky game. If we get an early goal, then the game may open up. But we need to be smart in how we approach this because they will look to frustrate us, then hit us on the counter.
Sevilla currently 2-0 up against PSV (though they’re now down to 10 men because Ocampos got two yellows). We go through to the last 16 before we kick a ball if they beat PSV this evening.
Havertz in midfield. Trossard drops to the bench. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri named in the match-day squad, what a moment for those two.
Nooo, PSV have equalised against Sevilla. Ah well. If we do our job tonight, it doesn't really matter anyway.
PSV have won it at the death. Sevilla have blown it and are out of the CL now. We need to win tonight to secure top spot.
1-0! Havertz! Some good play in and around the box, Tomiyasu lifts a ball in to the box, Lens don't deal with it and Jesus flicks it on for Havertz to bundle past the goalkeeper.
2-0! Jesus! Lovely footwork and finish by Jesus after Saka goes from outside to in with a mazy dribble and creates the space for Jesus to have that chance. Lovely stuff.
3-0! Saka! Two goals in less than a minute. That all stemmed from Martinelli winning the flick on from Raya's long pass. He lays it off to Havertz who feeds it into Martinelli. Martinelli's shot is parried out by Lens goalkeeper Samba into Saka (who didn't know anything about it) and it's 3-0. We are killing them.
Havertz defending...knee onto arm... Lens appeal, VAR check and ref waves for play to continue! I really do feel for Newcastle after last nights VAR decision, what was any different from tonights?
If we still have a 4 goal buffer at half time Saka needs to come off, it's not worth the risk of further injury!
Lens hit the post after what looked like a foul on Martinelli. Good hit. Let's hope we keep concentration levels up.
Agreed. Would bring Trossard/Nelson on for him, and then depending how second half goes, gives Myles Lewis-Skelly or Nwaneri 5-10 minutes toward the end of the game.
