Arsenal go receive LOSC for Emirates Stadium on Tuesday around 9pm for the second round of Champions League league phase. Na the first time the two clubs go meet for any official match. Arsenal dey favourite even though Saliba, Hincapié and Zubimendi no dey.
Arsenal beat Napoli 0-1, while LOSC fall to Betis 3-2. Both teams likely go line up in 4-2-3-1. Mikel Arteta no get Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi, wey injure ankle for recovery session after Leeds. William Saliba dey out with back problem, and Christos Tzolis dey out with hamstring issue.
For Lille side, the whole right flank no dey. Ethan Mbappé dey suspended after him red card against Betis. Tiago Santos suffer ACL rupture against Le Havre. Referee na German Felix Zwayer. He be old face for English teams, as he officiate Arsenal last defeat for the competition, 2-1 at Parc des Princes for May 2025. He no dey shy to show yellow, with small pass five cautions per Champions League match.
Arsenal never lose for Champions League regulation time since May 2025, na sixteen matches. Their European nights for Emirates dey often turn to demonstration, with at least three goals for five of their last six home league phase games. Set pieces remain their danger, even though successful corners less than last season when they set record of 18 goals for Premier League.
Lille fit bank on Berke Özer, wey make ten saves against Toulouse. Olivier Giroud return to Emirates, where he score 105 goals from 2012 to 2018. At 40, he still redoubtable for air. Lille score three of their eleven goals with head, and Arsenal concede two of their seven goals from set pieces.
Ancelotti prefer Japanese Ayase Ueda against Betis, so the only reserve about Giroud na him playing time. Expert prediction na Arsenal win. Lille no collect any point from their last eight trips to England for European Cup. But under Bruno Genesio, Lille beat Real Madrid 1-0 and Atlético for Champions League 2024-25, then AS Roma for their field for Europa League last season.
Gabriel Magalhães, wey pass through LOSC before, talk say the match na very special day for am. The Brazilian 28-year-old talk am for press conference on Monday, eve of match. After three weeks international break, Champions League resume. LOSC lose 2-3 to Betis for their first game. Arsenal na finalist for 2025-2026 edition.
Gabriel talk say them happy to dey back for Champions League. Them want keep the momentum after semi-final for 2025 and final for 2026. Him talk say last year them do very well for Champions League. On him missed penalty for final, him talk say anything fit happen for final, and if another penalty come, him go be there to take am. Him add say teammates help am well after that. Him sad, him no want miss penalty, but him learn from am, and if opportunity come again, him go take am.
On facing LOSC, him former club, Gabriel talk say e go be special day for am. Him get plenty affection for LOSC. Him talk say e go mean something for am to see supporters and play against Lille. Him really happy to see them. On Olivier Giroud, him talk say him never play against am. Him know say Giroud brilliant when him dey Arsenal, but no matter who him face, him just want win. Him happy if Giroud play, na great striker, and everybody know him career and wetin him accomplish.
Gabriel also open up on him arrival to Arsenal for 2020. Him talk say when them call am, the project make am happy, and e make him family happy too. Na why him dey there. Him really happy for the club and think say him make good choice. Him don dey there six years now, so him happy say him choose the club. Him want accomplish plenty things and win plenty trophies.
On him evolution since him reach Arsenal, Gabriel talk say him don change plenty. Him talk say Mikel Arteta na pillar for all of them. Arteta dey help am every day for the club and dey push am to give him best. Him talk say Arteta be pillar for am, and na because of am him dey enjoy him game.
