Arsenal vs Lens LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as Gunners demolish Lens to reach knockout rounds
Arsenal 6-0 Lens: Mikel Arteta’s men run riot and notch up six goals at the Emirates
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Arsenal sealed top spot in Group B with a barnstorming performance against Lens in the Champions League that saw them score six goals without reply at the Emirates Stadium.
It took just 13 minutes for Kai Havertz to settle any nerves when he poked home the opener from close range to cap off an aggressive and dominant start. What followed was a consistent run of goal scoring as Gabriel Jesus turned in the second when checking inside before Bukayo Saka chested one over the line.
Gabriel Martinelli’s curling effort made it four goals before the half hour mark but Arsenal kept their feet on the gas. Martin Odegaard adding a fifth with a fabulous volley in stoppage time during the first half.
The tempo understandably slackened in the second half but when the hosts were awarded a penalty late in the match, Jorginho coolly slotted it home to become the sixth goalscorer of the evening.
Relive the action below:
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
45 mins: Chance!
Martinelli moves centrally as Havertz nudges the ball to the edge of the box. He feeds it across to Saka who slips Martinelli into the box as he makes a diagonal run.
Martinelli gets to the ball and rattles it at the target only to hit the side netting.
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
41 mins: Post! Facundo Medina turns the ball over inside Arsenal’s half and drives forward. He shoots from range as Raya leaps across to his left.
The ball swerves past the goalkeeper and rattles the upright!
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
39 mins: Another free kick for Lens is whipped into the box from the inside right channel this time. David Raya comes out to claim the ball but fumbles it under pressure.
There’s a scramble in the box before the Gunners manages to belt the ball clear.
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
36 mins: A free-kick is delivered into the box by the visitors and a few of their players are appeal to the referee for a penalty. They want anything to give them a chance of a comeback.
A replay shows the ball hit Kai Havertz’s leg and then his arm but VAR doesn’t see fit to call the referee over to the monitor.
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
33 mins: Bukayo Saka is crunched again and goes down in a heap. Mikel Arteta will be bringing him off at half-time for sure. The match has been won already and there’s no need to risk your star man.
Arsenal 4-0 Lens
30 mins: Danger!
Arsenal burst forward on a counter attack after turning the ball over in midfield. Gabriel Jesus is the man released into space and holds up the ball brilliantly.
Martinelli overlaps and heads into the box but Jesus’ threaded pass doesn’t reach him and the opportunity breaks down.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Lens (Martinelli, 27’)⚽️
27 mins: Arsenal are running riot at the Emirates Stadium. Less than half an hour played and they’re four goals up.
A hoofed clearance from Takehiro Tomiyasu brings the ball across the field to Gabriel Martinelli. The winger carries the ball into the box, nips inside and slots a beautiful shot into the far bottom corner.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Lens (Saka, 23’)⚽️
23 mins: A long ball comes up the pitch and is chested down to Kai Havertz. He threads the ball into the box for Gabriel Martinelli who rolls it onto his right foot and shoots.
Brice Samba makes the save but pushes the ball straight to Bukayo Saka who doesn’t know much about it. The ball hits him in the chest and rebounds over the line.
Saka’s got a goal and an assist now.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Lens (Jesus, 21’)⚽️
21 mins: Lovely finish!
Bukayo Saka receives the ball on the right wing and darts inside, shrugging off a few tackles on the way. He bulldozers his way into the penalty area then frees the ball to Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus nips onto his right foot then rolls a fine effort under the goalkeeper to double Arsenal’s lead.
Arsenal 1-0 Lens
18 mins: It’s now two goals in two games for Kai Havertz who seems to be settling into life at the Emirates after his move this summer. There’s a quality player there but he needs more consistency to nail down a spot in the starting line-up.
Lens move up the pitch but Havertz is fouled trying to win back the ball.
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