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Arsenal predicted XI vs Lens… Mikel Arteta makes three changes, ‘very fast’ £20m player gets his chance

After a dramatic late win against Brentford on Saturday, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta now need to turn their attention to a tie with Lens.

Arsenal can now qualify for the Champions League knockout stages with a win or a draw against the French side.

Arsenal Training Session
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

But given their 2-1 loss away from home, the Arsenal players may be more focused on enacting revenge.

And with a busy schedule on the horizon, we are predicting that Arteta will make three changes to his Arsenal team against Lens.

Mikel Arteta's predicted Arsenal XI to face Lens.
Mikel Arteta’s predicted Arsenal XI to face Lens.

Starting at the back.

David Raya seems very likely to be restored to the Arsenal goal after a rare appearance for Aaron Ramsdale.

The latter looked understandably nervous at Brentford, and perhaps didn’t strengthen his starting claim.

Ahead of Raya there could be two changes to a back four that performed so well to keep a clean sheet on Saturday.

Arteta has already shown a willingness to rest Gabriel Magalhaes on occasion, and we think ‘very fastJakub Kiwior could get a chance.

The £20m signing has rarely stuttered when given opportunity, and isn’t considered a significant downgrade.

Otherwise, Ben White seems likely to return having sat on the bench on Saturday following his recent injury.

Mikel Arteta may hand Jakub Kiwior a rare Arsenal start against Lens

On to midfield, and it would be a surprise if the Arsenal boss didn’t reward Kai Havertz with a start.

Arteta seems determined to do everything he can to help Havertz succeed, even if there’s still some negative noise about his output.

Arsenal Training Session
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

And with Havertz on the left of the midfield three, there isn’t space for Jorginho to return with Declan Rice remaining in the pivot.

Perhaps the unluckiest victim of this predicted XI is Leandro Trossard.

Although he started at Brentford, the Belgian didn’t get the chance to continue his excellent work as a false nine.

By no means was he poor as a number eight, but he would need time to adapt, just like Havertz.

And with Trossard on the bench, Arteta seems likely to deploy a familiar front three as Arsenal look to secure qualification against Lens.

It will undoubtedly be a tricky fixture, hence why we are not predicting too many changes.

But with the quality of the team above, Arsenal should be able to secure three points which will allow Arteta to rotate further in the final group stage game.

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