Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League knockout stage as group winners by defeating Lens. The Gunners showcased their prowess with an impressive five-goal first-half spectacle, marking their return to the competition after a seven-year absence.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the team’s aggressive and determined approach, emphasizing the crucial role played by their exceptional performance in the initial 30 minutes. “I didn’t even dream like this,” Arteta remarked.
The goal-scoring spree began with Kai Havertz, who opened the scoring on the 13th minute, displaying a striker’s instinct to capitalize on Lens’ defensive lapse. Subsequent goals came from Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard in a remarkable display of Arsenal’s attacking prowess.
Arteta commended Havertz’s positive attributes, highlighting his scoring ability, overall performance, and the enthusiastic support from teammates and fans. “He’s a tremendous player,” Arteta added.
The first half witnessed a remarkable achievement as Arsenal became the first side in Champions League history to have five different scorers in the opening 45 minutes of a match. The attacking unit’s synergy was evident as each goal demonstrated skillful play and effective teamwork.
The second half, while more subdued, saw Jorginho sealing the victory with a late penalty, adding a sixth goal to Arsenal’s impressive tally. With this victory, Arsenal progresses from Group B alongside PSV Eindhoven, while Lens exits the competition.
Reflecting on the match, Arteta concluded, “Everything happened in the right way in the first 30 minutes. That was really helpful to win the game.” Arsenal now looks ahead to the next stage of the Champions League with confidence and momentum.
2023-12-01 02:51:32
#Arsenal #annihilates #Lens #Champions #League #triumph #historic #fivegoal
