Lens 2-1 Arsenal: David Raya error helps French facet come from behind to shock Gunners and go prime of Champions League group after Gabriel Jesus opener

As soon as the ball left David Raya’s foot, one may sense his panic. It was a poor clearance which finally value Arsenal the lead.

The error notably of be aware because of his inclusion within the staff on the expense of Aaron Ramsdale is predicated upon his passing distribution.

But when Bukayo Saka hobbled off the pitch, his head wanting in direction of the ground, after clutching his thigh, Mikel Arteta may seemingly scent the omens within the sky.

It was why Elye Wahi’s glide into the field to complete Przemysław Frankowski’s cross, the sense of all of it going from dangerous to worse had a predictability about it.

The Gunners weren’t at their greatest in reality, however Lens have been very a lot close to theirs.

Saka is central to the way in which this staff play, producing the move right here which resulted in Gabriel Jesus’ opening aim.

Hindsight is a advantage, but it will possibly’t be argued that his inclusion final night time was a threat after receiving a knock in opposition to Bournemouth.

How Arteta will want to rewind the clock.

As a sea of pink and yellow made itself heard throughout the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, one may sense what all of it meant to the house devoted. Plumes of smoke and flares billowed within the air earlier than kick-off.

That is their first Champions League marketing campaign since 2003. Occasions like this are uncommon in these elements and having earned some extent in opposition to Sevilla on matchday one, Lens optimism was excessive.

There may be additionally the European connection between each golf equipment, Arsenal having performed their first-ever Champions League recreation away right here, a 1-1 draw, 25 years and 17 days in the past to the day.

Arsenal’s preparations had not gone utterly to plan, their flight on Monday afternoon stranded at Luton Airport for nearly 5 hours because of a storm.

Arteta made a few adjustments to the staff that beat Bournemouth on Saturday.

After a powerful efficiency in opposition to Brentford final week, Takehiro Tomiyasu got here in for Ben White.

White had featured in all the Gunners’ 10 video games so far, so a relaxation was incoming.

Eddie Nketiah made method for Leandro Trossard within the entrance three, and Thomas Partey returned to the bench for the primary time since struggling a thigh damage previous to the worldwide break.

The house facet produced an early scare, centre again Kevin Danso’s shot into the bottom off a nook intently flying previous Raya’s left submit after 4 minutes.

Their set-up tried to nullify Saka on the best, marked by two males, and with a watch to getting the ball into the field the place potential.

But the primary alternative Saka needed to break ahead, Arsenal have been in entrance. He intercepted a lax move by Adrien Thomasson to play Jesus via, who coolly slotted previous goalkeeper Brice Samba.

Minutes later, Kai Havertz may have doubled the lead, his volley off Oleksandr Zinchenko’s aerial supply straight at Samba.

In equity it was a troublesome probability, his execution spectacular with the ball coming from over his shoulder.

That was swiftly forgotten about on 25 minutes. Raya’s poor clearance fell to the on-rushing Deiver Machado, his aerial move reaching Florian Sotoca who chested the ball on to Thomasson.

He unleashed a fizzing roller with venom previous Raya. What a transfer, what a aim. A reminder to the Gunners that the French staff weren’t right here only for the fanfare.

Saka taking place in ache and having to get replaced by Fabio Vieira earlier than half-time had compounded issues. How lengthy the winger now faces out is unsure.

Upon the restart, Trossard darted into the realm, made a pointy cutback, however his shot deflected again to the keeper.

Lens have been rising in confidence, in addition to the decibel ranges. Declan Rice diligently patrolled the midfield space for interceptions, but the French facet have been urgent arduous.

Man of the second Thommason’s pull-back supply noticed Salis Abdul Samed’s shot fly vast after 63 minutes, although three minutes later the Gunner ought to have pulled forward. Martin Odegaard’s nook fell to Takehiro Tomiyasu on their own within the space.

He may solely crash the ball into the keeper’s boot. This was such an important second the defender ought to actually have seized.