Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lens - Champions League
- Arsenal can progress with a win over Lens
- Ben White may return to the starting lineup
- David Raya set to take Aaron Ramsdale's place
By Euan Burns
Arsenal are aiming to secure their place in the Champions League last 16 for the first time since 2016/17 and they can do that with a win over Lens on matchday five on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta's side sit top of Group B with nine points from four games, the only defeat coming away at Lens earlier in the campaign. PSV Eindhven and Lens both have five points, so the French side have every incentive to chase the win in this one.
Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites given they have the superior squad and a four-point lead over their opponents, but it may not be a completely straightforward night at the Emirates Stadium for the Gunners. Thankfully for Arteta, he got a couple of players back from injury against Brentford over the weekend and didn't pick up any fresh issues.
Here is the team that Arteta could choose when Arsenal host Lens in the Champions League.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Lens (4-3-3)
GK: David Raya - Aaron Ramsdale played against Brentford as Raya was ineligible, but the Spaniard is expected to return for this Champions League clash. Ramsdale's error against Brentford, whilst not leading to a goal, won't have helped his case.
RB: Ben White - The Englishman made his return from injury from the bench late on against Brentford and is expected to take Takehiro Tomiyasu's place in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
CB: William Saliba - Easily one of the best centre-backs in Europe now, this is the sort of match in which William Saliba will want to rack up another clean sheet.
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - Perhaps flying slightly under the radar due to the attention Saliba gets, Gabriel is vital to the way that Arsenal play and is unlikely to be rested here.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko - The Brentford game was not his finest display but that could be said for most of the Arsenal team. He should still start at left-back against Lens.
CM: Martin Odegaard - Another player who made their return from injury against Brentford, Martin Odegaard will be looking to recapture his best form for the rest of the season.
CM: Declan Rice - An automatic starter in this team. They may have spent big to bring Declan Rice in but it certainly doesn't look like it will be viewed as a waste in years to come.
CM: Leandro Trossard - There is a chance that Arteta turns to Jorginho for this game but Leandro Trossard would be the more ambitious choice and Arsenal should play to their attacking strengths.
RW: Bukayo Saka - Much like Rice, Bukayo Saka is just an automatic pick for Arteta. Should Arsenal win, expect him to be rested for the final game with qualification already assured.
ST: Gabriel Jesus - There are constant fears over the fitness of Gabriel Jesus but he seems to be okay right now and it is time for him to start scoring a little more frequently.
LW: Gabriel Martinelli - The Brazilian winger has also struggled for fitness this season but when he is on song, he shows that he is one of the best forwards in the Premier League.
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