The Blood and Gold did it. For the big return of the Champions League to Bollaert, they brought down Arsenal on Tuesday as part of the 2nd day of Group B (2-1). Trailing after an error from Adrien Thomasson and a goal from Gabriel Jesus (14th), they reacted and responded thanks to the offender, nicely served by Elye Wahi (25th). The 20-year-old center forward then gave the advantage (69th) to the Lensois who dominated the Gunners like 25 years ago at Highbury.
Far from being impressed by the event, the Lensois entered the match with great desire. Galvanized by the superb atmosphere in the stands, they immediately showed a determined face symbolized by Kevin Danso’s off-target recovery from a corner (5th). Opposite, Arsenal, however, implemented their tactical system and took control of the ball. The visitors especially took advantage of a too soft back pass from Thomasson in his camp to open the scoring by Gabriel Jesus after the interception of Bukayo Saka (0-1, 14th).
Thomasson redeemed himself in style
This goal had the effect of a bamboo blow on the Lens heads and Kai Havertz was able to call on Brice Samba from a tight angle (20th). The Artesians, however, slowly moved forward with an off-target recovery from Thomasson on a cross from the active right piston Przemyslaw Frankowski (23rd). A few moments later, it was the other piston Deiver Machado who intercepted the ball to the left of the opposing camp and quickly found Wahi in the axis for a superb sequence of chest control and pass towards the left opposing area. Thomasson magnified his work with a curled shot with his right foot to equalize (1-1, 23rd).
In addition to this Lensois goal, Arsenal suffered the injury exit of Saka, replaced by Fabio Vieira (34th). The Londoners lost big because the Portuguese entrant showed absolutely nothing on the right wing. If the visitors got their foot back on the ball in the midfield with Martin Odegaard as conductor (68% possession at the break as in the end), they clearly lacked percussion and Leandro Trossard did not put himself in evident only rarely on the left. The Belgian still forced Brice Samba to save his team after the restart (49th).
Wahi definitely adopted
As feared, the Gunners also regularly made Samba and the Lensois suffer from corners and Takehiro Tomiyasu also gave work to the last local rampart (66th). The goalkeeper held firm and the RCL responded with lucidity and efficiency. Facundo Medina calmed his partners while Sotoca and Frankowski combined on the right for a center from the Pole and a perfectly uncrossed recovery from Wahi at the penalty spot which deceived David Raya (2-169th).
After opening his account with Lens last Friday in Strasbourg (0-1 victory), the young striker moved on to C1 and confirmed his talent. He was entitled to a standing ovation from the public when he left (73rd). With a clash coming up against Manchester City, Arsenal were slow to shake themselves up and then did so at the very end of the match. Samba, however, remained vigilant against Emile Smith-Rowe (85th) while Jonathan Gradit made a save on a recovery from Reiss Nelson, also entered into play (89th). Lens trembled but held on to his monumental feat and topped Group B ahead of his victim in an evening that will long be remembered.
Should we be concerned about Arsenal’s lack of character?