Mikel Arteta's Monday evening press conference had been delayed ahead of his Arsenal team meeting Lens on Tuesday evening in the Champions League.

The scheduled face to face meeting with the press was eventually cancelled after a flight delay involving the aircraft that was due to fly the Arsenal squad from Luton Airport on Monday afternoon. 

The Gunners supremo was set to speak to reporters at Stade Bollaert at 6pm UK time but a storm in the Luton area caused the scheduled flight to be pushed back.

The Gunners were due to take off at 415pm UK time but had been waiting in the airport terminal for nearly four hours due to stormy conditions near the busy airport in Bedfordshire. 

Arteta's squad had trained at 11am at the club's HQ, London Colney, prior to arriving at the terminal in Luton at 330pm with the aim of taking off at 415pm.

However, had weather delayed the flight signifcantly, forcing the press conference to be cancelled - with the Spaniard and centre back William Saliba having to conduct pre-match press duties over the telephone.

It is understood that Arsenal will not receive a UEFA sanction  as the cancellation of the press conference was out of the club's hands - with the Gunners expected to only be given a warning by the authorities. 

Gooner editor Layth Yousif has been in France on Monday ahead of covering the match on behalf of the Morning Star newspaper