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Arsenal\u2019s Champions League preparations have been disrupted after their flight from Luton Airport to France was delayed due to bad weather on Monday evening.<\/p>\n
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The Gunners were due to depart late in the afternoon ahead of Tuesday\u2019s group stage clash against Ligue 1 side Lens but they are currently still stuck in London.<\/p>\n
Manager Mikel Arteta was scheduled to speak to the press from Lens\u2019 Stade Bollaert-Delelis shortly after touching down at 6pm BST but his conference has now been cancelled \u2013 though he did later do a brief phone interview.<\/p>\n
A lightning storm in the area surrounding Luton is the cause of the delay and football.london are reporting that the Arsenal squad may not arrive in France \u2018for some time\u2019.<\/p>\n
The disruption will be a nuisance for Arteta, who plans away days meticulously, and the squad are not expected to arrive at their hotel until late in the evening.<\/p>\n
Although the cancellation of Monday\u2019s press conference was out of Arsenal\u2019s hands, it could land them in hot water with UEFA.<\/p>\n
Clubs participating in Europe are obliged to hold a press conference featuring both the manager and a player \u2013 with William Saliba having been put forward ahead of facing Lens \u2013 between noon and 8pm the day before the match.<\/p>\n
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Arsenal will not be able to hold their press conference during those hours and they will need to provide a reason to UEFA or potentially face punishment \u2013 though that is unlikely to happen.<\/p>\n
Lens have made a poor start to the new Ligue 1 season and are currently 15th, though they did muster a draw away to Sevilla in their first group game.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to facing the French side after seeing off Bournemouth 4-0 at the weekend, Arteta said: \u2018I am just thinking on that bus, how we can prepare Lens.<\/p>\n
\u2018It\u2019s going to be a really tough match away from home on Tuesday to try to win it and Manchester City will be the next step.<\/p>\n
\u2018But it\u2019s taking a lot of good things and move them for Tuesday and again try to make the right decision with the line-up and squad to maintain the level we are showing.\u2019<\/p>\n
Arsenal\u2019s players trained as normal on Monday morning ahead of their delayed flight to Lens, with Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey both taking part though Gabriel Martinelli was a no-show again.<\/p>\n