Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta makes feelings clear on using weather as excuse following Lens defeat

However, Lens then mounted a stirring comeback with Adrien Thomasson and Elye Wahi netting to secure all three points.

On Monday, before jetting out to France, Arsenal's travel plans were disrupted by stormy weather in the UK.

Arsenal had to wait for five hours at Luton Airport before being allowed to make the journey, with Arteta and William Saliba forced to do their pre-match media duties over the phone.

However, speaking at his post-match press conference, Arteta said he wouldn't be using the weather as an excuse.

"No, let’s not put excuses. First of all congratulations to Lens, they are a really good side, really well coached, we knew it was going to be a really tough match," he said.

"I think we started the game and straight away got a grip of the game, scored the goal, the most difficult thing and we were in total control of the game.

"One isolated situation we conceded and it was game on.

"We started the second-half really good again, have a huge chance with Leo [Trossard] to put it two-one.

"Not only that we were preparing the subs as well, [Takehiro] Tomiyasu has a big chance and when they go the other way they just score the goal.

"The difference between today and PSV is clear. The difference was in the boxes, we had four or five big chances and didn’t put them away, and we didn’t defend the boxes well enough.

"It’s true that there were moments in the second half we struggled to be more a threat in the final third, and attack certain spaces, otherwise they defend those numbers really good and that’s something to take for the next game."

One big worry for Arsenal is the injury to Bukayo Saka.

The England international was forced out of the game and is now a doubt for Sunday's crunch showdown against Manchester City.

When quizzed on Saka, Arteta added: "He tried to backheel the ball in the first-half and felt something, it was something muscular.

"And he was uncomfortable to carry on so we had to take him off.

"We don’t know anything more than that, obviously it was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s obviously a worry for us."

On whether Saka will be fit for the City match, he continued: "I have no clue, I don't know."

Arteta also said he had no regrets over playing Saka and the Arsenal star had been eager to take part in the tie.

"He was really looking forward to play. Every player (was)," continued the Spaniard.

"It was a big Champions League night.

"I told him I painted a picture, the scenario, the type of game we are going to have to face today and they all knew about it.

"But the Champions League is so difficult to win, very difficult to win away from home and today we take a big lesson as well."

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"No [to having regrets], it was a knock he picked up the other day and he was perfecrly fine.

"It wasn’t an action, it was a backheel that can produce that type of injury.

"Let’s see what the extent of it is, and afterwards, it was too late as well."

Arteta also thinks the hostile atmosphere in Lens benefitted the home side, who will now be dreaming of a place in the knockout stages.

"Obviously, the atmosphere I imagine is a big energy boost," he stated.

"We knew that they were one of the best, I knew that since I played in this country that it [the atmosphere] is one of the best in the country."