Arsenal had a tumultuous night in the Champions League as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Lens.
The journey to France was marred by bad weather delays, grounding the team for five hours at Luton Airport.
Their hopes of securing a spot in the knockout stages took a hit as Lens came from behind to clinch a victory at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Weather Woes and Delayed Journey
Arsenal’s trip to France was marked by difficulties, as bad weather caused a five-hour delay in their journey.
This disruption set the tone for a challenging night ahead.
Gabriel Jesus’ Goal Lifts Arsenal
Despite the disruptions, Arsenal took an early lead in the match when Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net with a tidy finish.
The goal marked his 22nd in the Champions League.
Error by Raya and Saka’s Injury
Arsenal’s comfortable lead was short-lived as an error from goalkeeper David Raya led to Lens’ Adrien Thomasson scoring an equalizer.
To compound Arsenal’s woes, Bukayo Saka had to be substituted due to injury.
This was the third time in nine days that Saka had suffered an injury, raising concerns about his fitness.
Elye Wahi Secures Lens’ Victory
With Lens taking control of the game, Elye Wahi scored the winner with 20 minutes left on the clock, securing a crucial victory for the home team.
The defeat now poses a challenge for Arsenal in Group B as they look ahead to a challenging trip to face Europa League holders Sevilla.
The match against Lens was the first home Champions League game for the French side in 21 years, and their fans were eager to make the most of the occasion, creating a vibrant atmosphere at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Despite falling behind, Lens and their enthusiastic supporters celebrated the equalizer and ultimately secured a memorable victory.