Arsenal beat Lille 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium after a devastating seven-minute second-half spell secured another victory in the UEFA Champions League and extended the Gunners’ perfect start to the European campaign.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unable to make headway in the opening 90 minutes, but their assault paid off with a goalscoring section three minutes into the second half. Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka had an all-conquering display as Jurrien Timber opened the scoring, but Arsenal have found themselves in the top position in the competition with Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.
Arteta has made five changes since his last match against Leeds United at the weekend, which is testament to the depth he has in the squad. But Lille first answered with a reply and seemed to be getting more at ease in the first half.
The French visitors briefly led, but Ayase Ueda’s shot to be offside. Arsenal answered with Bruno Guimaraes who was able to cross from close range, before hitting goalkeeper Berke Ozer in the air with a strong pass from a distance.
The answer finally came as Timber delicately lifted the ball over Ozer after receiving a pass from Noni Madueke. The momentum shifted to the goal, and Arsenal promptly took full advantage of the opportunities that were created in Lille’s defence.
Arteta’s changes saved the day. Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard came on to drive up the tempo in the Arsenal attack.
Eze then picked up Saka’s low cross and made a deflected shot that went into the top corner to make it 2-0. It was followed by a brilliant-team move, with Havertz playing the cut-back, and the England international completing the score with just a few moments to spare.
