Lens vs Arsenal: Three stars Premier League clubs will be scouting
Robin Bairner
- 2 Oct 2023 14:30 BST
- 4 min read
Lens came within a point of stunning PSG to claim the Ligue 1 title last season, qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since 2003 in the process.
The French league runners-up started positively in the competition as they outplayed Spanish outfit Sevilla to secure a 1-1 draw away from home, and in their first home encounter in the competition they will face in-form Arsenal.
Stade Bollaert-Delelis will be a sea of yellow and red for the encounter, with the venue set to be a cauldron of noise more intimidating than anything Mikel Arteta’s side have faced this season.
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But Lens are not the same side as they were a year ago. The loss of inspirational midfielder Seko Fofana weighs on the club, with the Saudi Pro League poaching away a player who provided so much power and dynamism from the centre of the park, one of the main pillars that Franck Haise’s side were built from.
Despite the loss of their undoubted talisman, there are several players in this squad that leading Premier League clubs will be tracking the progress of.
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Elye Wahi
Elye Wahi was a player who was linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, but he rejected the chance to move to the Stamford Bridge club.
The striker netted his first goal for Lens at the weekend against Strasbourg and is one of the players in the squad who could enhance Mikel Arteta’s unit, albeit largely as an option for the future.
The 20-year-old is a mobile striker who boasts impressive strength for his age and is blessed with pace, technique and finishing ability.
He netted 19 Ligue 1 goals last season, his second consecutive campaign in double figures already, is widely tipped to go all the way to the top.
No doubt Chelsea will be keeping a watchful eye on the France U21 star, who a certain Thierry Henry admires.
Facundo Medina
With left-sided centre-backs at a premium at the top of the game, Argentine defender Medina is a player to watch in the years to come. He has already played 102 matches with Lens and has attracted the interest of Manchester United in the past.
The 24-year-old was often credited with being one of the best centre-backs in Ligue 1 last season but has a habit of picking up bookings. Extremely quick and physical, he faces one of the biggest challenges of his career when Arsenal visit.
Kevin Danso
Lens’ centre-backs were one of the reasons for their success last season and Danso remains a key performer, with Jonathan Gradit completing the trio in front of Brice Samba.
Unlike Medina, who is comfortable dribbling the ball out of defence, Danso is a player who thrives on the grittier aspects of the game. He is a more traditional centre-back in that he is power and strong in the air, and though not without technical qualities, the Austrian, who was previously on the books of MK Dons, looks at his best when the pressure is on.
