Arsenal’s preparations for their first away Champions League game in six-and-a-half years were thrown into chaos due to travel delays.
Mikel Arteta’s side will face Lens in their Group B clash at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday night but had to cancel their pre-match press conference on the eve of the game. The Arsenal boss was due to speak to the media with France defender William Saliba at 1900 local time but their chartered flight was grounded at Luton airport.
The Gunners had trained at London Colney at 1130BST before being due to travel to France on Monday afternoon but bad weather saw those plans cancelled. The PA news agency understands Arsenal will not face a fine as the cancellation was out of their control – with their flight finally taking off in the evening following a delay of almost five hours.
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Among the travelling party were Bukayo Saka – who was passed fit to travel despite limping off injured at Bournemouth on Saturday – and fit-again midfielder Thomas Partey. The Ghana international had been sidelined since August with a groin injury and the club hoped to have him back for the visit of Manchester City on Sunday.