UCL: A bit of ferocious atmosphere killed nobody, nor will Saka-led Arsenal

To trace the last Arsenal defeat in non-friendly ties, we must look back to May 2023 and the penultimate game of the previous Premier League campaign, when Nottingham Forest saw off the Gunners 1-0.

So the chances of seeing them brushed aside on Tuesday night at Lens are pretty tiny, one could say.

The French side is going through a dreadful crisis, sitting in 15th place after winning a single point in the opening five games. Thankfully for them, the last two rounds saw them rising from the abyss with two straight victories.

But the Champions League is all another story.

Don't let names fool you - midnight is a perfect time for a major UCL upset

And albeit they grabbed a surprising point in the opening match at Sevilla, it will be a hell of a challenge for Lens to stay neck and neck with Mikel Arteta's side. Sure, the ferocious atmosphere in the packed stands would serve as a 12th player for the Frenchmen, but the North Londoners are significantly higher on the scale in terms of quality, experience and current form.

Moreover, one of the team's best players, Bukayo Saka, should be at Arteta's disposal after limping off due to an injury he suffered in the ultimate EPL tie at Bournemouth.

Gunned down by another injury!

This means the Gunners will face Lens with a regular offensive setup comprised of Saka, Trossard and Gabriel Jesus. As expected, they'll be joined by Havertz and Odegaard as the attacking midfielders and Declan Rice in the role of a smooth operator.

Asked if we'll maybe see Thomas Partey in action on Tuesday night, who has returned from injury, Arteta said:

"I don't know. I think his progression in the last week has been very good. He might have some exposure, depending on how the game goes.

"He's a big player, and we know what he brings to the team. He knows exactly what we need, and with the injuries we had to other players in midfield and at the back, he complements us in a great way and gives us options. So it's great to have him back again."

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2

Tuesday

19:45: (1.85) Union Berlin (3.60) Braga (4.80)

19:45: (2.85) Salzburg (3.35) Sociedad (2.65)

22:00: (15.0) Copenhagen (6.75) Bayern (1.23)

22:00: (1.50) Man.Utd. (4.50) Galatasaray (7.25)

22:00: (6.00) Lens (4.00) Arsenal (1.65)

22:00: (2.00) PSV (3.60) Sevilla (4.10)

22:00: (2.60) Napoli (3.50) Real Madrid (2.85)

22:00: (1.83) Inter (3.70) Benfica (4.80)

Wednesday

19:45: (1.63) Atl.Madrid (4.00) Feyenoord (6.25)

19:45: (1.90) Antwerp (3.70) Shakhtar (4.40)

22:00: (3.00) Celtic (3.50) Lazio (2.45)

22:00: (2.40) Dortmund (3.50) Milan (3.05)

22:00: (2.50) Newcastle (3.60) PSG (2.90)

22:00: (2.20) Crvena Zvezda (3.50) Young Boys (3.45)

22:00: (5.40) RB Leipzig (4.10) Man.City (1.67)

22:00: (4.20) Porto (3.60) Barcelona (1.95)

***odds are subject to change***