Elye Wahi starred as French side Lens came from behind to shock Arsenal in the Champions League.
Wahi’s first-time finish into the bottom left corner from a Przemyslaw Frankowski cross in the 69th minute saw the home side seal a notable success.
The below-par Gunners rode some early pressure from Lens before Gabriel Jesus claimed a 14th-minute opener from a through-ball from Bukayo Saka, who went off injured with a muscular problem.
Lens levelled 11 minutes later as Adrien Thomasson curled a superb finish into the far corner.
As Arsenal suffered their first loss of the season on a difficult night, they were dealt another blow before Sunday’s crunch Premier League meeting with Manchester City as England forward Saka went off after just 33 minutes.
But Lens were worthy of a win that took them to the top of Group B on four points, with Mikel Arteta’s side second on three.
The hosts threatened from the start with Kevin Danso shooting just wide and Thomasson’s header going close before the offside flag was raised.
Jesus’ finish into the bottom left corner did not dampen the spirits of the home crowd who were experiencing their first Champions League game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis since 2002. The Brazilian striker has now been involved in 16 goals in his last 16 Champions League starts, scoring 13 and assisting three.
But Lens hit back following a poor clearance from Arsenal keeper David Raya out to the left. Wahi, a summer signing from Montpellier, provided the assist, expertly controlling a long ball before laying off the pass for Thomasson to finish.
Gabriel was also caught out of position when given a loose pass in the Lens half and the hosts carved an opening with a well-struck effort from Salis Abdul Samed which rippled the side-netting.
The 20-year-old Wahi had the final say when he swept home the winner. In doing so, he became the youngest Frenchman to score and assist in a Champions League match since a 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe did so for Paris St-Germain in December 2018.
Saka injury adds to sloppy Arsenal’s woes
It was a tough night for the Gunners who looked off the pace as a run of nine Champions League group stage games unbeaten was ended by a buoyant Lens.
Sloppy in defence, Arsenal struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba made a good reaction save to deny Takehiro Tomiyasu from a Gunners corner, but was not tested enough.
Arsenal will look to bounce back in the Champions League when they travel to Sevilla in three weeks’ time, while Lens host PSV.
However, the departure of Saka will be the biggest concern when the dust settles.
He was doubtful for the 4-0 win against Bournemouth at the weekend but started before being withdrawn after 76 minutes. Saka was passed fit for this match, but went off in discomfort.
Before his substitution, Saka showed his quality once more by providing the assist for Jesus’ strike and become the first player to record five goals and five assists in all competitions this season for a team in Europe’s big five leagues.
He later emerged around the hour mark and sat on the bench with his team-mates to watch the rest of the match.
But, while Arteta said he had no regrets, questions will be asked about his decision to risk Saka, especially if he is absent when champions City visit the Emirates on Sunday.
Player of the match
SaïdWesley Saïd
Lens
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Squad number22Player nameSaïd
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Squad number30Player nameSamba
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Squad number9Player nameWahi
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Squad number11Player nameFulgini
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Squad number18Player nameDiouf
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Squad number2Player nameAguilar
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Squad number28Player nameThomasson
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Squad number29Player nameFrankowski
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Squad number14Player nameMedina
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Squad number4Player nameDanso
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Squad number26Player nameMendy
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Squad number7Player nameSotoca
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Squad number6Player nameAbdul Samed
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Squad number3Player nameMachado
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Squad number24Player nameGradit
Line-ups
Lens
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 30Samba
- 24Gradit
- 4Danso
- 14Medina
- 29Frankowski
- 26MendySubstituted forDioufat 73′minutes
- 6Abdul SamedBooked at 90mins
- 3MachadoSubstituted forAguilarat 81′minutes
- 7Sotoca
- 28ThomassonSubstituted forFulginiat 73′minutes
- 9WahiSubstituted forSaïdat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Aguilar
- 11Fulgini
- 16Leca
- 18Diouf
- 20Maouassa
- 22Saïd
- 23El Aynaoui
- 25Khusanov
- 27Guilavogui
- 40Pandor
Arsenal
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Raya
- 18Tomiyasu
- 2Saliba
- 6Gabriel
- 35ZinchenkoSubstituted forWhiteat 71′minutes
- 8ØdegaardSubstituted forNketiahat 80′minutes
- 41Rice
- 29HavertzSubstituted forSmith Roweat 70′minutes
- 7SakaSubstituted forFábio Vieiraat 34′minutes
- 9Gabriel JesusBooked at 90mins
- 19TrossardSubstituted forNelsonat 70′minutes
Substitutes
- 1Ramsdale
- 4White
- 5Partey
- 10Smith Rowe
- 14Nketiah
- 15Kiwior
- 17Cédric Soares
- 20Jorginho
- 21Fábio Vieira
- 24Nelson
- 25Elneny
- 31Hein
- Referee:
- Marco Guida
- Attendance:
- 37,040
Live Text
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Match ends, Lens 2, Arsenal 1.
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Second Half ends, Lens 2, Arsenal 1.
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Attempt blocked. Gabriel Magalhães (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Reiss Nelson with a cross.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Florian Sotoca.
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Attempt blocked. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Takehiro Tomiyasu with a headed pass.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Przemyslaw Frankowski.
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Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Florian Sotoca (Lens).
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Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card.
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Salis Abdul Samed (Lens) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Fábio Vieira (Arsenal).
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Brice Samba (Lens) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Reiss Nelson (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Florian Sotoca (Lens) left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Angelo Fulgini with a cross.
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Foul by Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal).
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Jonathan Gradit (Lens) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Attempt saved. Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
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Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Andy Diouf (Lens).