Arsenal vs Lens Prediction: Gunners to maintain immaculate Emirates record

After winning three of their first four group games, Arsenal fans can have little to complain about in their first Champions League campaign since 2016/17. However, Wednesday evening (20:00) acts an opportunity to exact revenge for the only blot on their copybook so far, a 2-1 defeat to Lens on matchday two.

That win in France is Lens' only one in Group B, though, and a defeat to PSV last time out has pushed them down to third with the Dutch side now occupying second place.

Arsenal are four points ahead of both with nine points and need only a draw to secure their place in the last 16 of the competition, while a win at the Emirates Stadium this week would ensure top spot.

Team News

David Raya looks set to return in the Arsenal goal after the terms of his loan deal ruled him out of Saturday's 1-0 win at Brentford, while Fabio Vieira will also be back in the fold after suspension denied him the opportunity of playing at the weekend.

Kai Havertz was the hero in West London and he will hope his winner is enough to restore him to the starting XI on Wednesday, while Benjamin White and Jorginho are others with a chance of making the line-up.

Elye Wahi had a peculiar evening on Saturday as he struck the opener against Clermont before being sent off on the stroke of half-time. The 20-year-old should, therefore, be a prime candidate to start against the Gunners - whom he scored against in the reverse fixture - as he will be unable to play in Ligue 1 on the weekend.

Morgan Guilavogui will serve a suspension of his own on Wednesday, though, after picking up a red card in Lens' last Champions League game against PSV.

On the injury front, there is good news on former Southampton defender Kevin Danso, who could return after missing the 3-0 win over Clermont, but there are doubts over Colombian wing-back Deiver Machado, who has scored three times for the Ligue 1 side this season.

Match Odds

Arsenal are fancied at 2/7 to make it three out of three wins at the Emirates in Group B, while a draw can be found at 9/2. Lens are 9/1 to pull off a shock victory in North London.

If you fancy both teams to score again you can find BTTS - Yes at EVS.

Arsenal to win to nil @ 21/20

Questions have been raised about the potency of the Arsenal attack this season, but an area where they have received widespread praise is in defence. The Gunners have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League - 10 in 13 games - and they are yet to concede at home in the Champions League. Saturday's win at Brentford was also their third clean sheet in the last four.

Lens, meanwhile, have only scored once in their two European away matches this term and have drawn a blank four times on the road in all competitions, including three of their last four. The potential absence of Machado, a creative bundle of energy down the left-hand side for them, further hampers their chances of scoring at the Emirates.

Arsenal have won seven of their nine home games this season - only failing to beat Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in 2-2 draws - and they should be confident of getting the job done here with minimal fuss, and ensuring top spot in the group.

Arsenal to win & under 2.5 goals @ 5/2

Arsenal's frontline set their standards so high last season that a slight drop in attacking output has inevitably raised eyebrows, and Saturday's win over Brentford was another example of the Gunners grinding it out, rather than putting on an attacking spectacle.

Mikel Arteta's side have won by a 1-0 scoreline in five matches this term, while their last Champions League game - a 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Emirates - also saw them win by under 2.5 goals.

Lens have only lost two of their last 13 games, but both have been 1-0 defeats, and nine of the matches have featured under 2.5 goals. I expect Arsenal to show their superiority on Wednesday but I'm not sure whether they will romp home with a bucket-load of goals.

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