6Arsenal 1-0 Lens LIVE: Havertz scores opener as Gunners aim to win group

The Gunners have won three of their four games in Europe so far this season, picking up back-to-back victories against Sevilla to maintain top spot in Group B.

Mikel Arteta's side's only defeat of the campaign came against Lens in October and the French side will now be out to do the double.

And this is an important game for the Ligue 1 outfit as they will give a huge boost to their own qualification hopes should they pull off a shock result.

Live stream: TNT Sports 2.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, White, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri.

Lens XI: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Haidara, Sotoca, Fulgini, Wahi.

Subs: Leca, Pandor, Aguilar, Machado, Pereira da Costa, Diouf, Maouassa, Said, El Aynaoui, Khusanov, Thomasson.

Follow our live match blog below for regular updates...

just nowBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 1-0 Lens

17' Saka limps away after a strong challenge.

The winger was substituted with a knock in the reverse fixture and Arteta will be hoping it doesn't happen again.

He seems fine for now...

2 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 1-0 Lens

15' That's goals in back-to-back games for Havertz!

Is this the turning point in his Arsenal career?

4 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Lens: Kai Havertz

13' ARSENAL TAKE A DESERVED LEAD!

Again, Tomiyasu sends a cross into the box and it finds Jesus this time.

The striker nods the ball down into the path of Havertz who taps past Samba and into the back of the net!

5 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

CHANCE! Arsenal 0-0 Lens

11' Havertz heads just wide of the post!

Tomiyasu stands up a cross and the German rises highest as he bursts into the penalty area!

He sends an effort towards goal but it bounces inches wide!

7 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 0-0 Lens

9' Arsenal continue to dominate.

Lens are happy to sit back and allow the hosts the ball.

They're looking for the counter and Mendy almost starts one until Havertz drags him down.

10 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 0-0 Lens

7' Jesus has the first shot of the game!

Havertz finds Zinchenko on the left of the box who then lifts a cross into the back post where Jesus is waiting.

The Brazilian has a go on the volley but send his strike into the side-netting from close range!

13 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 0-0 Lens

5' Arsenal are looking to gain control early on.

The hosts are controlling the ball and probing for an opening.

Zinchenko is pushing into midfield and high up the pitch on each attack.

15 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 0-0 Lens

3' There is a light fog over the stadium tonight.

Not sure if it's the weather or from a flare in the away end!

The Lens fans are making the most of the trip!

18 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal 0-0 Lens

1' And we're underway!

Can Arsenal book their place in the knockout stages?

22 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

After a light show, the teams are on their way out!

The home fans are creating a great atmosphere as they know a win for Arsenal will secure top spot in Group B.

Kick-off is next...

24 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

The away end are already in good spirits!

What a night for those supporters!

Lens will give a huge boost to their qualification chances if they can pull off another shock result against Arsenal.

29 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

PSV have come from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2!

That means Arsenal need a point to secure a spot in the last 16.

A victory at the Emirates would see the Gunners win Group B.

Kick-off is 10 minutes away...

35 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens: Match facts

Bukayo Saka has assisted three goals in four appearances in the UEFA Champions League this season, providing one in three different matches (v PSV, Lens and Sevilla). No English player has ever assisted more than three goals in a single UEFA Champions League campaign for Arsenal.

Four different outfield players have played every minute for Lens in the UEFA Champions League this season (Facundo Medina, Jonathan Gradit, Salis Abdul Samed and Kevin Danso) - the most outfielders to have not missed a single minute for any team in the competition in 2023-24.

39 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

Warm-ups are underway at the Emirates!

44 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

Sevilla have let their 2-0 lead slip in Spain!

PSV have come back to draw level and that means Arsenal will now need a result to secure a spot in the last 16.

49 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

Mikel Arteta has looked back on the Champions League campaign so far for his side.

"I am enjoying it, it's a great feeling," he explained.

"It makes you proud, it makes me feel that this is the level the club should be at, and we've been competing really well, so let's continue to do so.

"For sure. We have to prove (ourselves). We have to come back to Europe being the club we want to be and have that presence and those results that tell you that we are back in a strong way.

"We haven't done that yet, that has to be done."

54 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

A memorable night for Arsenal's teenagers at the Emirates!

59 minutes agoBy Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens: Match facts

Since losing his first European home game in charge of Arsenal in February 2020 (1-2 v Olympiakos in the UEFA Europa League), Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has only suffered one defeat in his last 12 such games at the Emirates Stadium (W8 D3), winning five of the last six (D1).

All nine of Arsenal's goals in the UEFA Champions League this season have been from open play, with only Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich scoring as often from open play in the first four matchdays (also nine).

Today, 19:15By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

Captain Martin Odegaard has also been speaking about having the chance to win Group B this evening.

He said: "It will be huge if we can guarantee winning the group tonight, it basically means we have done our job in Europe until it starts again in February.

"So that's our target, and it's another chance to show our strength at home.

"We love being here, we love these Champions League nights at the Emirates, where we have a great connection.

"We'd love another special atmosphere for the game tonight."

Today, 19:10By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

If Sevilla hold on it means Arsenal will win Group B with three points tonight.

And Mikel Arteta believes his side can do so against a tough Lens side.

"Yeah, we do want to win the game, that's for sure," he said.

"We want to be top of the group and the opportunity is there for us, against a team that causes problems, and that we've already experienced against them, so we have the right motivation to do that.

"We have to win at home, and we have to win the group if we can. That's the mentality of the team, that's for sure."

Today, 19:05By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

It's now 2-0 to Sevilla against PSV!

Arsenal's place in the last 16 looks set to be sealed before the game!

Today, 19:00By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens: Team news

As expected, David Raya returns in goal for Arsenal!

He takes Aaron Ramsdale's place while the rest of the Gunners line-up is pretty much full strength.

Lens have also put out their strongest team with former Southampton defender Kevin Danso fit to start.

Elye Wahi scored the winner in the French side's historic win in the reverse fixture and he will be a threat again tonight.

Today, 18:56By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens: Team news

Arsenal XI: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Martinelli, Jesus.

Subs: Ramsdale, Hein, White, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri.

Lens XI: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Haidara, Sotoca, Fulgini, Wahi.

Subs: Leca, Pandor, Aguilar, Machado, Pereira da Costa, Diouf, Maouassa, Said, El Aynaoui, Khusanov, Thomasson.

Today, 18:49By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens

The Gunners are in the building!

Today, 18:44By Jack Johnson

Arsenal vs Lens: Match facts

Arsenal have never beaten Lens in a UEFA Champions League match in three attempts (D1 L2). It is the most times they have faced an opponent without winning in the competition.

All five of Lens' previous European matches against English teams have come against Arsenal (W2 D1 L2). Their last away game against the Gunners was in April 2000 in a UEFA Cup semi-final, losing 1-0 at Highbury to a Dennis Bergkamp goal.

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