Arsenal scored three goals in seven second-half minutes to beat Lille 3-0 and extend their perfect start to the Champions League.
Jurrien Timber’s deft finish opened the floodgates just after the hour mark at the Emirates Stadium before Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka rounded off the scoring.
Victory takes Arsenal into a share of the lead at the top of the Champions League table alongside Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon.
Mikel Arteta was able to use the wealth of resources at his disposal as he made five changes to the side that beat Leeds 2-1 on Saturday.
But it was Lille boss Davide Ancelotti, son of Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was the happier after a goalless first half.
Arsenal quickly went through the gears in the second period once Timber dinked the ball over Ozer from Noni Madueke’s pass.
Arteta had left arguably his three most potent attacking weapons on the bench, and the introduction of Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard made an immediate impact.
Saka’s low cross picked out Eze, whose deflected shot flew into the top corner to end any doubt over the destiny of the three points.
The England winger then finished off an exquisite team move from Havertz’s cut-back for Arsenal’s third.
There were further cheers from the home fans when Olivier Giroud came on as a late substitute for Lille on his return to the club where he scored 105 goals in a six-year spell.
Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda mull joint visa for AFCON 2027 fans
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Manchester United to pile pressure on Red Devils coach Michael Carrick.
Pablo Barrios pounced inside the first minute for Diego Simeone’s side and, after Leny Yoro’s 74th-minute red card set United back further, Ademola Lookman added another for the hosts in Madrid.
United have made their worst domestic start in 40 years and this league-phase defeat in the Spanish capital was another blow, with the team now winless in five games across all competitions.
Bayern Munich were held 3-3 at Viking, with the Norwegian champions equalising late through Herman Haugen after Michael Olise was sent off.
Olise’s red means he will miss next week’s blockbuster clash with English champions Arsenal in Munich.
- NAFDAC seizes N2bn fake alcohol in Lagos market raid - October 14, 2026
- Stock market investors lose N144bn amid sell-offs - October 14, 2026
- UCL: Arsenal thrash Lille as Atletico Madrid beat Man United - October 14, 2026
