Lens 2-1 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Gunners on end of shock defeat in France while Bukayo Saka suffers injury – reaction
ARSENAL have suffered a shock defeat in France as Lens ran out 2-1 winners after an epic Champions League clash.
Gabriel Jesus gave the Gunners the lead inside 14 minutes with a stunning finish.
Lens equalised minutes later through Adrien Thomasson's emphatic strike to beat David Raya.
Elye Wahi scored the winner on the night as Arsenal lost their first game of the season in France.
In worse news for the Gunners, Bukayo Saka went off injured in the first half making him a huge doubt for Sunday's clash against Premier League title rivals Manchester City.
- Match result: Lens 2-1 Arsenal
- Lens team: Samba, Gradit, Danso, Medina, Frankowski, Mendy, Abdul Samed, Machado, Sotoca, Wahi, Thomasson
- Arsenal team: Raya, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Trossard
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WAHI GOAL!! RC Lens 2-1 Arsenal
69. LENS HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD!! Frankowski delivers a superb cross into Wahi who tucks it into the bottom corner past David Raya.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Gabriel header
68. Another Arsenal corner and this time Gabriel heads the ball straight at Samba - Gunners pushing.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - WHAT A SAVE!!
67. Samba makes an unbelievable save after Tomiyasu arrived in the box and volleyed it towards goal from a corner.
The keeper used his feet to deny Arsenal the lead.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Abdul Samed inches wide!
63. Abdul Samed almost puts the hosts ahead as he blazes an effort inches wide of Raya's post.
The midfielder received the ball in the box after Thomasson found himself in acres of space in behind the Arsenal back four.
Plenty to ponder
Mikel Arteta has to figure out how to get his team ahead in this game and may have to turn to his bench soon
Credit: Reuters RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
60. Jesus tried to get in behind for Arsenal, but just overruns the ball and sees it sneak out of play - Lens goal kick.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
57. Lens are enjoying some of the ball now and Arsenal can't seem to get it back.
The French outfit have impressed with the way they've played so far this evening.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Lens freekick
54. Lens whip in a freekick, but the tall frame of Kai Havertz is there to head away.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
53. The Gunners are trying to force something now, but Lens are staying resolute in the defence of the 18-yard box.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Free Kick Arsenal
50. Trossard is wiped out by Sotoca and Arsenal have a chance to swing in a ball... it comes to nothing,
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Trossard comes close
49. SO CLOSE! Leandro Trossard comes close to giving Arsenal the lead again at the near post.
The ball was won back by Jesus and found it's way to the Belgian in the box, but Samba did well to smother his shot.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
47. A slow start to the second half, but Arsenal won't mind that with the crowd quietening down.
SECOND HALF BEGINS - RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
Lens get us underway as the second half kicks off!
Here they come...
The players are heading back out on the pitch to get the second half underway.
It was a pretty even affair in terms of chances in that first half and the second half could be just as exciting.
Got your boots Bobby?
Arsenal and France hero Robert Pires is present to watch his old club play tonight.
Arsenal could do with another top quality wide midfielder after Saka went off...
Credit: Getty
HT: RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
It's been a hotly contested affair so far - perhaps not what Arsenal were expecting.
Lens have come out firing and Mikel Arteta might have to chnage things at the break.
Credit: Reuters HALF TIME: RC LENS 1-1 ARSENAL
It's half-time and the teams go in level. Gabriel Jesus' finish was cancelled out by Thomasson's stunner.
But perhaps the biggest talking point is Bukayo Saka trudging off the pitch injured.
HUGE second half ahead.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
45+1. Martin Odegaard whips in a cross that falls to Jesus.
The Brazilian snatches at his effort and it goes flying over the bar.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - TWO ADDED MINUTES
45. The fourth official has indicated that just two minutes will be added on before this game goes to half time.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
43. Arsenal continue to try break down Lens in midfield, but they can't seem to break the lines without Saka on the pitch.
Trouble for Arsenal
Bukayo Saka has gone off and it's not good for the Gunners with the England international crucial to their system.
Arsenal fans will already be looking ahead to their clash with Man City this weekend without their starboy...
Credit: Rex
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
37. Arsenal are adjusting to life without Saka and they're struggling to create any obvious chances despite dominating the ball.
SUBSTITUTION - Saka goes off for Vieira
33. Bukayo Saka is replaced by Fabio Vieira after going down on the ground for a while.
It's a blow for Arsenal both tonight and ahead of Sunday's clash with Man City.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal - Down goes Saka
Bukayo Saka is down on the ground and he needs some treatment.
The Arsenal starboy has been a doubt all week and has been hobbling at times tonight. Arteta will be hoping it's nothing too bad.
RC Lens 1-1 Arsenal
32. Arsenal with some superb play down the right flank between Tomiyasu and Saka.
The Japanese international wriggled into the box, but his cross couldn't find a teammate.