Pain in the Arsenal
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Lens 2-1 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners falter in France

By James Cormack

Lens' French forward #09 Elye Wahi (L) celebrates after scoring a goal his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images)
Lens' French forward #09 Elye Wahi (L) celebrates after scoring a goal his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group B first leg football match between RC Lens and Arsenal FC at the Bollaert Stadium in Lens, northern France, on October 3, 2023. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET / AFP) (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal succumbed to a spirited Lens side in the Champions League on Tuesday night as the French side fought back from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

The first half was defined by two build-up errors, the first of which allowed Gabriel Jesus to open the scoring for the visitors. However, Adrien Thomasson swiftly atoned for his mistake by firing Lens level with a wonderful strike after David Raya gave possession away.

The Gunners then lost Bukayo Saka to injury before the break, as the sides went into half-time all square.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1709304815149342723

Lens did a fine job of disrupting Arsenal’s rhythm after the restart, although Brice Samba was forced into two excellent saves to deny Leandro Trossard and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Then, the impressive hosts took their first lead of the night when the brilliant Elye Wahi finished calmly from a cut-back cross with 20 minutes remaining.

Mikel Arteta made a triple change as he sought to ignite a poor second half showing from his side, but his substitutes struggled to have an impact until the final minute of the 90 when Reiss Nelson was denied a certain goal by a quite incredible defensive intervention.

That proved to be Arsenal’s last chance as they fell to defeat in Europe.

Lens 2-1 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their defeat to Lens.

Takehiro Tomiyasu made a rare start on Tuesday night. (Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Takehiro Tomiyasu made a rare start on Tuesday night. (Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) – 4/10 – Conceded twice and didn’t make a save of note. His errant pass directly led to Lens’ equaliser.

Takehiro Tomiayasu (RB) – 5/10 – Lens forced Arsenal to play through Tomiyasu, but he simply didn’t offer enough in the final third. Shifted to left-back for the final part of the game;.

William Saliba (CB) – 7.5/10 – Saliba had his work cut out against the spritely Wahi, but largely coped well with the young striker. One of few players who excelled in possession.

Gabriel (CB) – 5.5/10 – Unlike Saliba, Gabriel simply wasn’t efficient enough with the ball.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 6/10 – Very good in the first half as he produced a couple of wonderful passes from an advanced position. Struggled after the break and was understandably withdrawn.

Continued on the next slide…

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