2023-11-30 01:28:00
After a start to the European campaign which delighted French football, Racing Club de Lens saw its future in the Champions League darken following the stunning success of PSV Eindhoven in Seville (3-2). Franck Haise’s men wanted to build on the feat of the first leg against Arsenal to continue their hope, but the Gunners gave the Artois club no chance.
Six goals, six different scorers
From the start, the English club’s pressure hurt the Lensois who were stifled. Kai Havertz stands out for the first time with a header off target (9th). The German international will be more precise in the quarter of an hour of play to open the scoring by appearing in front of Brice Samba, following a header from Gabriel Jesus (1-0, 13th). Sotoca and Wahi try to react but Arsenal square their camp very well and will clearly accelerate afterwards.
Gabriel Jesus doubles the lead after a service from Saka: the Brazilian international makes a superb hook before shaking the net (2-0, 21st). The leader of the Premier League clearly wants to take his revenge on the first leg and Bukayo Saka will also score his own goal: the Gunners winger successfully resumes a strike blocked by Samba (3-0, 24th) .
RC Lens will drink the chalice to the dregs with a fourth goal in less than half an hour: the last Arsenal attacker not to have scored will also score a goal. Gabriel Martinelli fixes the left side and places a superb curling cross shot, which leaves Samba without reaction (4-0, 26th).
Despite this rout, the Lensois try to react and even create opportunities like Facundo Medina who fires a nice shot at the entrance to the area which ends up on Raya’s left post (40th). But Arsenal are uncompromising in this meeting and will add a fifth goal following a lightning counterattack. Tomiyasu perfectly serves Odegaard who fires a superb volley to end a one-sided half (5-0, 45th+1).
A final for the Europa against Sevilla
To start the second act, Franck Haise decides to make three changes by removing all the players capable of taking a new warning and consequently missing the last decisive match against Sevilla. Medina, Abdul Samed and Sotoca thus leave their places to Machado, Thomasson and El Aynaoui. While the winner is already decided, the rhythm since returning from the locker room resembles that of a friendly match and the two teams are not putting in a lot of intensity. Arsenal still took advantage of a hand from Khusanov to obtain a penalty, after checking the video. Jorginho takes care of the offering (6-0, 85th).
It’s an evening to quickly forget for RC Lens with a score that’s heavy to digest. If qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League is gone, third place in the Europa League is still within reach. To do this, we will have to not lose against Sevilla FC in two weeks at Bollaert.
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