Arsenal make changes for Lille as injuries reshape Champions League selection

Changes at the Emirates

Myles Lewis-Skelly starts at full-back for Arsenal against Lille in the Champions League on October 13, according to The Standard’s confirmed-team report. Mikel Merino and Bruno Guimarães come into midfield, while Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres start in attack. Arsenal are looking to follow their 1-0 opening win away to Napoli with another European victory. ^[1]

The Standard reports that Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi are unavailable after suffering ankle injuries during training on the pitch following Saturday’s win over Leeds. Mikel Arteta said the pair required further scans. Its team report also lists William Saliba and Christos Tzolis as injured, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard among the substitutes. ^[1]

Lille’s injury concern

Lille arrive after Tiago Santos suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal tear in his right knee during their 1-0 Ligue 1 win over Le Havre, Reuters reported on October 13. Lille said the tackle warranted a red card and asked for disciplinary review. Le Havre defended its player, pointing to the referee’s and video official’s decisions. The club responses remain opposing accounts of the incident. ^[2]

The league-phase schedule

Arsenal’s official competition schedule identifies the Lille match at the Emirates as matchday two, with kickoff at 8 p.m. UK time. The next European assignment is away to Bayern Munich on October 21, followed by a visit to Slavia Prague on November 4. The schedule places Tuesday’s selection within an eight-match league phase. ^[3]

The club lists subsequent home games against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, then a January trip to Real Betis before the final home meeting with Sabah. These are scheduled opponents and dates, rather than results. The confirmed selection and recent injury updates explain the immediate Arsenal–Lille context without projecting the outcome of the contest. ^[3]