Arsenal scored three goals in seven second-half minutes on Tuesday to beat Lille and maintain their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League league phase at the Emirates Stadium.
Jurrien Timber opened the scoring in the 64th minute, lifting a clever finish over Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer after receiving a pass from Noni Madueke.
England international Eberechi Eze doubled Arsenal’s lead three minutes later, finishing first time from a cross by substitute Bukayo Saka.
Saka then got on the scoresheet himself in the 71st minute, rolling the ball into the net to seal Arsenal’s second victory in the competition after their win over Napoli.
Manager Mikel Arteta made five changes to the team that defeated Leeds United 2-1 in the Premier League at the weekend. However, Arsenal struggled to create clear chances in the first half, with Eze, Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres failing to find their rhythm.
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Arteta resisted making major changes at half-time, and Timber’s breakthrough helped Arsenal take control of the contest.
Saka, Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard later came on, with the substitutes playing key roles in the goals that secured a convincing victory.
Arsenal won all eight of their league-phase matches in the previous Champions League campaign before losing the final to Paris Saint-germane.
The result strengthens their start to this season’s competition as they aim to go further than last campaign.
BBC News
