No sooner had the mist started to clear regarding Arsenal’s injury problems than they were grounded by a torrential storm that badly disrupted preparations for their Champions League meeting with Lens.
After receiving the good news that Bukayo Saka’s foot injury was not serious and Thomas Partey had returned to training after a groin issue, they were forced to sit for nearly five hours at Luton airport waiting to fly 200 miles – roughly the same distance they travel when going to away games in Manchester. Some Arsenal supporters will drive straight back from northern France after the Champions League group B match on Tuesday night.
At odds with Arsenal’s usual attention to detail, they seemed to cut things unnecessarily fine on Monday. They asked
© Times Media Limited 2023.
Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF.