ARSENAL have suffered a shock defeat in France as Lens ran out 2-1 winners after an epic Champions League clash.
Gabriel Jesus gave the Gunners the lead inside 14 minutes with a stunning finish.
Lens equalised minutes later through Adrien Thomasson’s emphatic strike to beat David Raya.
Elye Wahi scored the winner on the night as Arsenal lost their first game of the season in France.
In worse news for the Gunners, Bukayo Saka went off injured in the first half making him a huge doubt for Sunday’s clash against Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
- Match result: Lens 2-1 Arsenal
- Lens team: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Machado, Sotoca, Wahi, Thomasson
- Arsenal team: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Trossard
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Danso praises his side
Kevin Danso is full of praise for his side after they earned a historic win over Arsenal tonight.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It was a difficult game. Arsenal had a lot of quality and made us sit back really deep, but we kept defending and kept our concentration. Luckily we won the game.
“The goal came from a mistake of our own, they didn’t really create it, although it was a brilliant [finish] by Gabriel Jesus.
“We managed to get one back quickly and went on to win the game. It’s a good result.”
Credit: Getty Arteta has no regrets starting Saka
Mikel Arteta has said he has no regrets about starting Bukayo Saka despite the winger nursing an injury.
No. There was a knock that he had the other day and he was perfectly fine. It’s an action that can produce that kind of injury. Afterwards it’s too late.
Mikel Arteta
Player ratings
At tough night for Arsenal out in France as they see their unbeaten start to the season come to an end.
Not many Gunners were firing for Mikel Arteta and SunSport have given their thoughts on how they get on.
David Raya – 5
Declan Rice – 8
Martin Odegaard – 5
Group B table
Here’s how Group B in the Champions League looks now that Lens have picked up all three points tonight.
- RC Lens – 4pts
- Arsenal – 3pts
- Sevilla – 2pts
- PSV – 1pts
Rice speaks on loss
Declan Rice has spoken out after his side’s 2-1 loss to Lens in France this evening.
Speaking to TNT Sports he said: “I feel we created enough to win the game, for sure.
“We missed some big chances. It’s a great finish for their first goal and the second one we created with our own problems.
“I thought we totally dominated the match but they are not an easy opponent. We had to be on it but it was just that final bit that was lacking.
“Credit to them. They defended very well and some of their centre-backs had some outstanding performances.
“We’re only 10 games or so into the season. We’re just warming up and getting into our rhythm. Our focus turns back to the league and it’s a massive game on Sunday.”
Arteta gives Saka update
Mikel Arteta has given an update on Bukayo Saka after he was subbed off with an injury just 34 minutes into the game.
Speaking to TNT, he said: “He tried to backheel a ball in the first half and he felt something. It was something muscular.
“He wasn’t able to carry on and we had to take him off.”
Credit: Getty Tough test next
It can’t get much harder for Arsenal as they welcome treble winners Man City to the Emirates on Sunday.
A loss tonight makes that game even more important for Mikel Arteta’s side as they need to bounce back.
Credit: Getty Arsenal knocked off top spot
Arsenal have their place in top spot taken away from them in Group B, but with PSV and Sevilla drawing 2-2 they remain in second place.
Lens fans loving it
Lens fans are in dreamland as they go top of Group B in the Champions League.
The French side were outstanding tonight.
FULL TIME: RC LENS 2-1 ARSENAL
FT. IT’S ALL OVER AND LENS HAVE WON IN A HISTORIC EVENING FOR THE FRENCH SIDE.
Arsenal’s unbeaten run comes to an end as they prepare for a huge match on Sunday.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – RAYA GOES UP
90+4. DAVID RAYA HAS GONE UP FOR THE CORNER
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – Arsenal pushing
90+3. The Gunners are pushing hard with just seconds left on the clock…their reward is a corner.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – Free kick Arsenal
90+2. Fabio Vieira lofts a dangerous free kick to the back post, but it’s out of everyone’s reach. Lens are close to a superb victory.
FOUR MINUTES ADDED ON
Arsenal have just four minutes to rescue something from this game.
Yellow Card for Samed and Jesus
Samed and Jesus find themselves booked after the arguments in the box.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – SO CLOSE
90. Arsenal have their best chance since they went behind as Reiss Nelson sees his effort saved by Samba.
The loose ball is picked up and emotions spill over as players from both sides pile in.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
89. Time is running out for Arsenal and they’d need a miracle to come away with all three points now.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – Sotoca opportunity
88. Half chance in the box for Sotoca, but he’s unable to direct in on target.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
85. Smith Rowe takes aim from just outside the box, but Samba palms it away comfortably.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
83. This is the defensive unit that Lens displayed in Ligue 1 last season.
Their structured defence is preventing Arsenal from finding any avenue back into this game despite their best efforts.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal – Changes for both
A final change for Arsenal as Nketiah comes on for Odegaard while Lens replace Machado with Aguilar.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
80. It’s not the Arsenal we’ve grown used to seeing and this will hurt if the result stays this way.
The Gunners are trying to break though, but look disjointed.
RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
76. The subs are on and Arsenal still don’t look dominant. They’ve had a lot of the ball, but it’s looking stagnant.
Three switches for Lens too
Lens see Arsenal’s treble swap and raise them three of their own.
Off: Wahi, Thomasson, Mendy
On: Diouf, Fulgini, Said
Triple change for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta responds to going a goal behind with three changes. Emile Smith Rowe, Ben White and Reiss Nelson replace Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Alex Zinchenko
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
