Lille pay a visit to UEFA Champions League runners-up Arsenal for Matchday 2 of Europe’s premier club competition. Davide Ancelotti’s Les Dogues will need something special to leave London with a positive result, given that that the Premier League champions have maintained a 100% record last season in the opening phase of the Champions League. Furthermore, Lille have their backs against the wall after a disappointing opening day defeat to Real Betis (2-3).
Against the Verdiblancos, Ethan Mbappé was dismissed for elbowing Natan in the face. He’ll miss the next three UEFA Champions League games for the Ligue 1 side. Lille have also been hit with a serious injury blow this weekend as right-back Tiago Santos sustained a second ACL tear. The Portuguese is expected to be replaced by 18-year-old Maxima Goffi, who is poised to make his UCL debut.
Up front, Ancelotti is set to favour Japan international Ayase Ueda ahead of Olivier Giroud. France’s second all-time top scorer could make a return to the Emirates Stadium’s pitch from the bench after a six-season spell in North London.
Lille likely line-up v Arsenal
Berke Özer; Romain Perraud, Alexsandro, Nathan Ngoy, Maxima Goffi; Nabil Bentaleb; Benjamin André; Gaëtan Perrin, Hakon Haraldsson, Dilane Bakwa; Ayase Ueda. (L’Éq)