Arsenal scored three goals in seven minutes in the second half to secure a 3-0 victory over Lille in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
Dutch defender Jurriën Timber opened the scoring in the 64th minute before Eberechi Eze doubled the Gunners’ lead three minutes later.
Substitute Bukayo Saka completed the victory in the 71st minute as Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the league phase.
The result gave Mikel Arteta’s side six points from their opening two matches, having won both games without conceding a goal.
Arsenal have now recorded nine victories in their 10 matches across all competitions this season.
The hosts initially struggled to break down a disciplined Lille defence, with the French side frustrating Arsenal for much of the first half.
Bruno Guimarães missed a promising opportunity after combining with Noni Madueke and Timber, while Mikel Merino’s header from Timber’s cross was saved by goalkeeper Berke Özer.
Lille thought they had taken the lead through Ayase Ueda in the 22nd minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Arsenal continued to search for an opener, with Eze and Guimarães testing Özer before the break.
The breakthrough eventually arrived when Madueke set up Timber, whose excellent first touch created space for him to chip the advancing goalkeeper. Eze then finished a cross from Saka, who had just come off the bench, to put Arsenal firmly in control.
Saka completed the scoring in the 71st minute after combining with fellow substitute Kai Havertz, netting his fourth goal of the season.
Arsenal’s victory extended their winning run in the Champions League league phase to 14 matches as they continue their pursuit of a first title in the competition.
The Gunners will face a tougher test when they travel to Germany to take on Bayern Munich next Wednesday. Before then, they will turn their attention to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend.
