Arsenal vs. Lille: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

The hosts are big favorites to win in north London. | Visionhaus/Getty Images (Arsenal’s badge), Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images (Lille’s badge)Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday when hosting Lille in their second match of this year’s league phase.

Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday when hosting Lille in their second match of this year’s league phase.

The Gunners were humiliated in their final outing before the international break, losing 3–0 at Brighton & Hove Albion, but they responded with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Leeds United in their first game back. Now attention turns to Europe as they seek to build on their opening round win away at Napoli last month.

The Gunners were humiliated in their final outing before the international break, losing 3–0 at Brighton & Hove Albion, but they responded with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Leeds United in their first game back. Now attention turns to Europe as they seek to build on their opening round win away at Napoli last month.

Profligacy almost proved costly for Arsenal in Naples, who were ultimately indebted to Martin Ødegaard’s winning goal. They conjured 4.05 expected goals—the second-most of any team on Matchday 1—and should have departed with a scoreline far greater than 1–0.

Profligacy almost proved costly for Arsenal in Naples, who were ultimately indebted to Martin Ødegaard’s winning goal. They conjured 4.05 expected goals—the second-most of any team on Matchday 1—and should have departed with a scoreline far greater than 1–0.

Mikel Arteta and his players know they must be more clinical against an in-form Lille side, who currently sit second in Ligue 1 after six matches. They even lead reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the standings after an impressive start to the campaign—although they were beaten 3–2 by Real Betis on their Champions League return.

Mikel Arteta and his players know they must be more clinical against an in-form Lille side, who currently sit second in Ligue 1 after six matches. They even lead reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the standings after an impressive start to the campaign—although they were beaten 3–2 by Real Betis on their Champions League return.

Arsenal overcame Napoli on Matchday 1. | Alberto Lingria/Xinhua/Getty ImagesLille shouldn’t be underestimated. They’ve hit the ground running under new manager Davide Ancelotti—son of legendary coach Carlo—and have been incredibly efficient, scoring just nine times but conceding only four in Ligue 1 thus far.

Lille shouldn’t be underestimated. They’ve hit the ground running under new manager Davide Ancelotti—son of legendary coach Carlo—and have been incredibly efficient, scoring just nine times but conceding only four in Ligue 1 thus far.

However, traveling to Arsenal will require them to reach an entirely new level.

However, traveling to Arsenal will require them to reach an entirely new level.

The Gunners are particularly exceptional on home soil and have won seven of their eight competitive matches across all competitions, with defeat at Brighton an unexpected outlier.

The Gunners are particularly exceptional on home soil and have won seven of their eight competitive matches across all competitions, with defeat at Brighton an unexpected outlier.

Arteta boasts the superstar quality that Ancelotti simply doesn’t possess, while also having an immensely deep roster. The Spaniard will be able to rotate his lineup without harming its quality and that spells big trouble for Les Dogues.

Arteta boasts the superstar quality that Ancelotti simply doesn’t possess, while also having an immensely deep roster. The Spaniard will be able to rotate his lineup without harming its quality and that spells big trouble for Les Dogues.

Arsenal will continue without William Saliba and Christos Tzolis midweek. The former has missed the entirety of the campaign with a back problem, while the latter is absent for several weeks courtesy of a hamstring issue sustained on international duty.

Arsenal will continue without William Saliba and Christos Tzolis midweek. The former has missed the entirety of the campaign with a back problem, while the latter is absent for several weeks courtesy of a hamstring issue sustained on international duty.

Cristhian Mosquera is close to making his return, yet was missing from the matchday squad for the Leeds match. As a result, Ezri Konsa could partner Gabriel in defense yet again.

Cristhian Mosquera is close to making his return, yet was missing from the matchday squad for the Leeds match. As a result, Ezri Konsa could partner Gabriel in defense yet again.

Piero Hincapié sustained an injury in the post-match warm-down after the Leeds match, which forced him to hobble off the field. He will likely sit out the upcoming game, meaning Riccardo Calafiori will feature at left back once more.

Piero Hincapié sustained an injury in the post-match warm-down after the Leeds match, which forced him to hobble off the field. He will likely sit out the upcoming game, meaning Riccardo Calafiori will feature at left back once more.

Bruno Guimarães could be promoted into the XI after his match-winner at the weekend, while Mikel Merino might enter the team to give Declan Rice another opportunity to rest.

Bruno Guimarães could be promoted into the XI after his match-winner at the weekend, while Mikel Merino might enter the team to give Declan Rice another opportunity to rest.

Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze could feature in a refreshed attack.

Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze could feature in a refreshed attack.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Lille (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimarães, Merino; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Lille (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimarães, Merino; Saka, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres.

Ancelotti will be without several players himself for the journey to north London.

Ancelotti will be without several players himself for the journey to north London.

Ethan Mbappé is absent with an ankle injury suffered just before the international break, while Hamza Igamane is still unavailable due to an ACL tear. To make matters worse, Tiago Santos will sit this one out after being stretchered off against Le Havre on Saturday, while Romain Perraud also came off injured at left back.

Ethan Mbappé is absent with an ankle injury suffered just before the international break, while Hamza Igamane is still unavailable due to an ACL tear. To make matters worse, Tiago Santos will sit this one out after being stretchered off against Le Havre on Saturday, while Romain Perraud also came off injured at left back.

Nathan Ngoy, traditionally a center back, could come into the team at right back to replace Santos, while the likes of Benjamin André, Ayase Ueda and Hákon Haraldsson should all re-enter the team after only being used as substitutes against Le Havre.

Nathan Ngoy, traditionally a center back, could come into the team at right back to replace Santos, while the likes of Benjamin André, Ayase Ueda and Hákon Haraldsson should all re-enter the team after only being used as substitutes against Le Havre.

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could make an impact from the bench. The 40-year-old, who spent six years at the Emirates and scored 105 goals for the club, is still a major threat with his aerial prowess and finishing ability.

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud could make an impact from the bench. The 40-year-old, who spent six years at the Emirates and scored 105 goals for the club, is still a major threat with his aerial prowess and finishing ability.

Lille predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Özer; Ngoy, Nianzou, Alexsandro, Verdonk; André, Bentaleb; Bakwa, Haraldsson, Perrin; Ueda.

Lille predicted lineup vs. Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Özer; Ngoy, Nianzou, Alexsandro, Verdonk; André, Bentaleb; Bakwa, Haraldsson, Perrin; Ueda.

Published just now | Modified just nowEWAN ROSS-MURRAYEwan Ross-Murray is a soccer writer for SI FC. He boasts years of experience following his First Class Honours in Journalism from the University of Leicester, producing a variety of content from match reports and news pieces to more extensive features on an array of topics. With Scottish, Welsh and English heritage, Ross-Murray’s soccer influences are far-ranging, but his primary focus is on the Premier League and Champions League.