Havertz starts in 3 big changes | Expected Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Lens

Arsenal welcome Lens to the Emirates Stadium for today’s Champions League group stage clash.

The north London giants have been in good form either side of the international break. They picked up a third-straight victory last weekend.

Kai Havertz came off the bench to score a late winner against Brentford which propelled the Gunners to the top of the Premier League.

The club now have the opportunity to qualify for the round of 16 stage of the Champions League.

The Gunners require just a point against Lens while a victory would confirm their top spot in the group.

Their qualification for the knockout stage could be sealed in advance if Sevilla beat PSV Eindhoven at home in the earlier kick-off.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-up:

Aaron Ramsdale had a difficult outing against Brentford on the road. He was guilty of some high-profile errors. His blushes were saved by two goalline clearances from Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Englishman is expected to be replaced by regular goalkeeper David Raya, who was ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday.

In defence, manager Mikel Arteta could consider one change from the derby win. The Gunners boss confirmed that Ben White is available for selection despite not training with the squad yesterday. The 26-year-old could come in for Takehiro Tomiyasu in the right-back position.

The rest of the back four should stay the same. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes should form the heart of the backline tonight. Oleksandr Zinchenko should continue from the left-back role ahead of Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior.Arteta went with a very attacking formation against the Bees with Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard starting in midfield alongside Declan Rice. However, we anticipate the former to drop to the bench for Havertz, who made the difference on Saturday with his 89th-minute headed winner.

Further forward, it should be the same trio from the weekend. Bukayo Saka has been a vital figure for the Gunners from the right wing and he came up with a brilliant cross for Havertz’s goal. Gabriel Martinelli had one of his best games of the season in the last European outing versus Sevilla. He is expected to feature on the left wing.

Gabriel Jesus is Arteta’s undisputed number nine when fit and available for selection. We saw the Brazilian reinstated into the XI as soon as he returned from a hamstring injury. Jesus has had a fine Champions League campaign so far with three goals and an assist in just three appearances

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