OPINIONArsenal lineups vs RC Lens as Ramsdale starts, Smith Rowe handed chance and Saka decision

Kaynak’s Arsenal XI vs Lens: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Smith Rowe, Vieira; Trossard, Nketiah, Jesus.

Tashan Deniran-Alleyne – Arsenal Writer

RC Lens are in the middle of a mini-revival
offer their assistance to Mikel Arteta over the Arsenal starting line-up for the UEFA Champions League clash against RC Lens on Tuesday night
ARSENAL TRAIN AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH VS RC LENS
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That’s something of a first for the Gunners manager this season as he opted to stick with the same XI that started the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur six days prior with the main difference being his side being more ruthless at both ends to claim all three points.

Next up for Arsenal is a UEFA Champions League tie away at Ligue 1 side RC Lens. Although, with the heavyweight clash against Manchester City looming, one would imagine Arteta is planning to make some changes to ensure there’s freshness throughout the squad.

Luckily, he can call upon the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and possibly Thomas Partey on Tuesday night. To help with any dilemmas, football.london’s writers Kaya Kaynak and Tashan Deniran-Alleyne are on hand to offer their assistance. Below, they name their respective starting lineups for Arsenal against RC Lens.

Kaya Kaynak – Chief Arsenal Writer
With Manchester City coming up on the horizon, I’d want to rotate as much as possible if I were Mikel Arteta. That starts in goal where I’d opt for Aaron Ramsdale over David Raya, firstly to keep the Spaniard fresh for Sunday, but also to keep the England international engaged.

In defence, I think I’d bring Takehiro Tomiyasu in for Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian will be essential to winning the midfield battle against City and I just feel it makes sense to keep him as fresh as possible. I’d start the rest of the usual back four, but Jakub Kiwior is certainly a sub I’d be looking to use throughout the 90 if possible.