SEVEN-YEAR GLITCH

Gunners flight delay not a problem for Saliba

- MATTHEW DUNN

ARSENAL'S first Champions League trip for seven years descended into farce despite Lens being nearer London than Manchester.

The players were sat in Luton's private terminal for more than four hours with media conferences set for Lens, just 170 miles away, roughly 30 miles nearer to the Emirates than Manchester.

Although there were a steady stream of departures all afternoon, storms prevented certain aircraft taking off.

The players had reported to the airport at 3.30pm ahead of an anticipated 4.15pm departure.

In the end, meals had to be sent from the club's training ground before they finally got airborne and the only preparation they are likely to get is a brief stretch of their legs this morning before tonight's clash with the Ligue 1 side.