Lens v Arsenal: Champions League – live

Mikel Arteta speaks to TNT Sports, starting on that tough journey. “We cannot control it, We had to stay together and we had a good time. We will play a beautiful game today, It’s a big night, a really good test. [On Trossard and Tomiyasu coming in] The way we aim to play, giving minutes, everyone deserves a chance to play. It will be a very intense game on high press, a lot of situations, a lot of transition moments.”

It wasn’t easy in transit for Arsenal to get to France.

Mikel Arteta and his squad were waiting in the private terminal at Luton airport well into Monday evening after their plane, which had been due to depart at 4.15pm, was grounded because of adverse weather. They eventually flew just after 9pm.

It meant arrangements for their first away outing in this competition for six-and-a-half years were thrown into chaos, with Arteta being forced to cancel his mandatory media commitments and the prospect of a late arrival in France meaning a hasty change of schedule.

Here’s Group B’s embryonic table.

For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka starts, having limped off against Bournemouth. He’s such a hardy type, plays every minute he can. In terms of the Champions League, it’s just one Gunners change with Tomiyasu in for Ben White from the right hammering handed out to PSV.

Lens make one change from their draw with Sevilla, Thomasson in for Fulgini.

Lens: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Machado, Sotoca, Thomasson, Wahi. Subs: Aguilar, Fulgini, Leca, Diouf, Maouassa, Said, El Aynaoui, Khusanov, Guilavogui, Pandor.

Arsenal: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Rice, Havertz, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard. Subs: Ramsdale, White, Partey, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Jorginho, Vieira, Nelson, Elneny, Hein.

Referee: Vladimir Antonov (Moldova)

Arsenal began their return to the Champions League with a bang in demolishing PSV, now for a trip to northern, industrial France and Lens. Those of vintage may recall the last time these two met, when Highbury was considered too small and Premiership champions Arsenal made an ill-fated decision to play home games at the old Wembley Empire Stadium. Lens were French champions back then, with featuring striker Tony Vairelles. Whatever happened to him? A search reveals he is serving prison time in France for the shooting of nightclub bouncers, along with his three brothers…blimey. Other names you may recall from their squad of that season: Alex Nyarko, not especially loved at Everton, Stephane Dalmat, once of Spurs, Franck Quedrue, of Boro, Fulham and Birmingham fame and their star man, Vladimir Smicer, later of Liverpool glory in Istanbul fame.

Lens won 1-0 to all but end Arsenal’s Champions League chances in a year they were heavily fancied.

Taking on Arsene Wenger that night was Guy Roux, the wiliest French manager of all.

Arsenal (4-4-2): Seaman; Dixon, Adams, Keown, Winterburn; Parlour, Garde, Hughes, Overmars; Wreh, Anelka.

Lens (4-4-2): Warmuz; Sikora, Magnier, Dehu, Lachor; Debeve, Smicer, Nyarko, Rool; Nouma, Vairelles.

Referee: A Frisk (Sweden).

And a famous referee, too. Time and tide have changed both club’s outlooks, Lens return to the competition after lower-league spells, and even after reaching this year’s competition had to lose two of their best players in Lois Openda, to Leipzig, and Seko Fofana, now of Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro-League. Last time out, they drew 1-1 with Sevilla, and Franck Haise, their manager, will be pulling of an almighty coup if he follows in Roux’s footsteps.

Kick-off is 8pm UK time. Join me.