London –
Arsenal is determined to beat Lens in the fifth matchday Liga Champions later tonight. The Gunners have a double mission in this match: to win and lock in the group championship position.
Currently, Arsenal is at the top of Group B with nine points from four matches. Lens and PSV Eindhoven followed behind the team Mikel Arteta with five points, while the bottom is occupied by Sevilla who have only won two points.
A draw was actually enough to get Arsenal through. However, this position does not guarantee that they can become group winners. Moreover, if PSV is able to beat Sevilla tonight, then the group winner will be determined on the last matchday.
Therefore, Arteta requires his team to win at the Emirates on Thursday (30/11/2023) at 03.00 WIB. Not only does it ensure that they qualify for the last 16 for the first time in seven years, but it also ensures that the group winner’s ticket is within reach.
If that’s the case, they have the opportunity to avoid the big teams at the start of the knockout phase. They will also get to play at home in the second leg, which is a psychological advantage.
“Yes, we want to win this match, that’s clear. We want to be group winners and that opportunity is tomorrow, against a team that creates a number of problems, and we have experience facing them, so we have the right motivation tomorrow,” said Arteta, quoted the club’s official website.
“We have to win at home, and we have to win the group if we can do it tomorrow. That’s the mentality of this team, that’s for sure,” explained the Spanish coach.
Lens gave Arsenal a 1-2 defeat in the first meeting. Can Arsenal respond?
(adp/krs)
2023-11-29 12:40:10
#Arsenal #Lens #Gunners #Dual #Mission
