Arsenal scored three goals in seven second-half minutes to beat Lille 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, extending their perfect start to the Champions League.
Jurrien Timber’s neat finish came just after the hour mark and broke the deadlock. Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka then completed the scoring. The win puts Arsenal level at the top of the table with Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal’s second-half surge overwhelms Lille
Mikel Arteta made five changes from the side that beat Leeds 2-1 on Saturday. The game was goalless at the interval, and Lille boss Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, appeared the happier of the two managers.
Lille thought they had scored when Ayase Ueda’s effort went in, but he was flagged offside. Bruno Guimaraes came closest for Arsenal before the break, firing wide from close range and then seeing a powerful shot parried by Berke Ozer.
The hosts quickly picked up the tempo after the restart. Timber dinked the ball over Ozer from Noni Madueke’s pass, and Arteta’s attacking reserves soon made their mark.
Eze and Saka seal the win as Giroud returns
Arteta had left three of his most potent attacking options on the bench. Their introduction made an immediate impact. Saka’s low cross found Eze, whose deflected shot flew into the top corner and removed any doubt about the result.
Saka later finished off an excellent team move, converting Havertz’s cut-back for Arsenal’s third goal. Olivier Giroud also received a warm reception from the home supporters when he came on late for Lille on his return to the club.
Giroud had scored 105 goals during a six-year spell at Arsenal, but he could not add another at the Emirates. Lille remain without a Champions League point after their defeat to Real Betis on matchday one.
