Gabriel Jesus fired Mikel Arteta's side ahead but the loss of the England winger left them toothless in attack against the French minnows
Arsenal slipped to a first defeat of the season in the Champions League at Lens despite taking the lead through Gabriel Jesus. However, a mistake from goalkeeper David Raya allowed the hosts to equalise before the Gunners suffered another blow when Bukayo Saka limped off injured.
The visitors struggled for attacking inspiration without their talisman on the field, something Lens sensed as the game wore on and which offered the hosts encouragement to attack. It was little surprise, then, when the impressive Elye Wahi fired Lens ahead with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Mikel Arteta responded by throwing on Ben White, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah, but Arsenal's patient probing came to very little and Lens held on comfortably for a deserved three points in their first Champions League home game for more than 20 years.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Stade Bollaert-Delelis…
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David Raya (4/10):
At fault for the first Lens goal with a poor pass out that was far too casual and allowed the hosts to intercept and eventually tee up Thomasson.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (4/10):
Came in for White at right-back but didn't look entirely comfortable and offered nothing going forwards.
William Saliba (7/10):
Stood out once again the heart of the Arsenal defence. Great in possession and loves a duel.
Gabriel (5/10):
A loose pass almost gifted Lens a second goal after the break.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10):
Seemed to be everywhere in the first half and did well.
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Kai Havertz (5/10):
Might have been expected to kick on after scoring his first Arsenal goal last time out but couldn't influence proceedings and had a quiet game.
Declan Rice (7/10):
Couldn't quite get to Thomasson for the equaliser but otherwise was one of Arsenal's better players. Always wanted the ball.
Martin Odegaard (6/10):
Gave the ball away too often and couldn't provide the inspiration that Arsenal so badly needed.
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Bukayo Saka (7/10):
Shrugged off injury to play and came up with an assist for Jesus after pouncing on a loose ball. Forced off just after the half hour which will be a blow to the Gunners with Manchester City up next.
Gabriel Jesus (7/10):
Broke the deadlock with a clinical finish on his first effort on goal and seems to love the Champions League. He has now been involved in 16 goals in his last 16 Champions League starts.
Leandro Trossard (5/10):
Arsenal will have wanted more from Trossard down the left. Had a couple of chances but was let down by some tame shooting.
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Fabio Vieira (4/10):
Came on after just 30 minutes for the injured Saka but offered little. Barely involved.
Emile Smith Rowe (5/10):
Managed a shot on goal but it never really troubled the goalkeeper.
Ben White (5/10):
Another late sub when Arsenal were already 2-1 down.
Eddie Nketiah (5/10):
Thrown on too late to make any difference.
Reiss Nelson (6/10):
Came the closest to a late equaliser but saw his effort blocked by the goalkeeper.
Mikel Arteta (5/10)
His decision to start Saka yet again despite the forward limping off for the last two games backfired spectacularly. Arsenal lacked attacking inspiration without Saka and Arteta could not find a way to get his team back into the match after going behind.
