According to the Evening Standard, three Lille players, including Ethan Mbappé, will miss the Champions League match against Arsenal.

Thiago Santos is one of three players unavailable for Lille's Champions League clash against Arsenal on Tuesday night, though Giroud has been included in the squad.

The Portuguese right-back has been a key player for Lille this season, starting all six Ligue 1 matches and the team's defeat to Real Betis last month on their return to Europe's top club competition.

However, Santos was stretchered off just 17 minutes into Saturday's game against Le Havre after a poorly timed tackle by Richardson.

It was later revealed that the 24-year-old suffered a "complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, plus a torn meniscus," and will now be sidelined for an extended period.

A club statement read: "Thiago has suffered a serious injury that will require a long period of recovery. For Lille, the most important thing right now is naturally to support this member of the club's family through this difficult time.

"The entire club, including management, as well as the sporting and medical teams, will fully support Thiago – who has already experienced a similar injury in 2024 – providing him with all the physical and mental support he needs.

"Beyond the injury itself, the circumstances of its occurrence and the absence of any sanction have also raised serious questions for the club.

"Despite the Le Havre player's action being clearly visible in real-time footage, recorded from different angles by multiple cameras, with slow-motion replays immediately broadcast, and VAR being able to intervene for clear errors or serious missed incidents, including potential direct red cards, ultimately no sanction was applied, not even a yellow card."

In addition to Santos, Lille will also be without Ethan Mbappé – brother of Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé – who is suspended after receiving a red card against Betis when they travel to North London.

Former Rangers player Igamane is also sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in January, though he is believed to be close to a return.

Giroud is expected to have an emotional reunion at the Emirates Stadium. He has returned here many years after leaving Arsenal for Chelsea eight years ago, although it is widely reported that he will start on the bench.

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