The Arsenal players had an eventful day on the eve of their match against Lens, this Tuesday at Bollaert, in the Champions League (9 p.m. on RMC Sport 1). Due to bad weather, they reached the north of France late in the evening. Mikel Arteta had to improvise a press conference on the plane.
A totally messed up preparation. Arsenal had a particularly difficult day on the eve of their match at Lens, this Tuesday in the Champions League (9 p.m. on RMC Sport 1). The bad weather which has swept across London in recent hours has forced the Gunners to change their route plan. While they were supposed to take off at 5:15 p.m. towards Lille, Bukayo Saka’s teammates were not able to leave Luton airport before 10 p.m.
A significant setback which did not allow them to fulfill their media obligations. The press conference, in which coach Mikel Arteta and French defender William Saliba were to participate, was scheduled for 7 p.m. in Lens. It was postponed twice, before being canceled by UEFA. Arteta then improvised a press briefing on the plane with the British media. The Spanish technician answered a few questions over the phone. The opportunity to compliment the team of Franck Haise, vice-champion of France, back in C1 twenty-one years after the last Sang et Or campaign.
Arteta “impressed” by Lens last season
“I was really impressed with what they did last season,” Arteta explained while crossing the Channel. “It’s incredible to finish in this position, and the way they did it, the form that they had at home. This season they haven’t been lucky with some results (Lens is currently 15th in Ligue 1, editor’s note). I don’t know why they haven’t taken more points, so we expect “It’s a huge battle. We’re more than aware of that. They’re a very good team and we have a huge test ahead of us.”
A test which will be played in a heated atmosphere, under the eyes of 1,8000 Arsenal supporters in Bollaert. The meeting has also been classified as high risk by the local authorities, who expect to see many British fans arrive without tickets.