Elye Wahi shone as Lens rallied from behind to defeat Arsenal in the Champions League. Wahi’s first-time strike into the bottom left corner from a Przemyslaw Frankowski cross in the 69th minute secured a significant victory for the home side.
The Gunners were under pressure early on from Lens when Gabriel Jesus scored in the 14th minute off a through-ball from Bukayo Saka, who was injured with a muscular ailment.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man United Suffered Another Loss To Galatasaray
Adrien Thomasson curled a fantastic strike into the far corner to bring Lens level 11 minutes later.
Arsenal suffered their first loss of the season on a difficult night, and they were dealt another blow before Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Manchester City when England forward Saka was taken off after only 33 minutes.
But Lens deserved to win, moving them to the top of Group B on four points, with Mikel Arteta’s team second on three.
The hosts threatened right away, with Kevin Danso firing just wide and Thomasson’s header coming dangerously near before the offside flag was raised.
The goal by Jesus into the bottom left corner lifted the enthusiasm of the home fans, who were witnessing their first Champions League game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis since 2002. In his last 16 Champions League appearances, the Brazilian striker has been involved in 16 goals, scoring 13 and assisting on three.
Lens, though, responded after Arsenal keeper David Raya’s clumsy clearance out to the left. Wahi, a summer acquisition from Montpellier, assisted by expertly controlling a long ball and laying off the pass for Thomasson to finish.
Gabriel was again caught off guard when given a sloppy ball in the Lens half, and the hosts took advantage with a well-struck attempt from Salis Abdul Samed that rippled the net.
Wahi, 20, had the ultimate say when he swept home the winner. As a result, he became the youngest Frenchman to score and assist in a Champions League encounter since Kylian Mbappe, then 19, did so for Paris St-Germain in December 2018.
Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba produced a brilliant reaction stop from a Gunners corner to deny Takehiro Tomiyasu, but he wasn’t tested enough.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Bellingham Scored As Real Madrid Wins Against Napoli
In three weeks’ time, Arsenal will travel to Sevilla in the Champions League, while Lens will host PSV. When the dust settles, the departure of Saka will be the most concerning.
He was uncertain for the weekend’s 4-0 win over Bournemouth, but he started before being replaced after 76 minutes. Saka was declared fit for this match, but he left in pain.
