Timber slots in his first goal of the season and the team's first against Lille at the Emirates | Arsenal website
Arsenal scored three goals in six second-half minutes to beat Lille 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and extend their winning run in the competition’s league phase to 14 matches.
Jurrien Timber, Ebere Eze and Bukayo Saka scored for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium as they secured their second victory in this season’s Champions League.
After a goalless first half, Timber broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with an individual effort, lifting the ball over Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer after receiving a pass from Noni Madueke inside the box.
Arsenal doubled their lead three minutes later when Eze finished a counter-attack after Martin Odegaard found Bruno Guimaraes, whose pass allowed Saka to set up the England international.
Saka completed the scoring in the 71st minute, shortly after coming off the bench. The winger exchanged passes with Odegaard before Kai Havertz returned the ball to him, allowing him to finish into the bottom corner.
According to Arsenal’s match report published on the club’s website, the goal was Saka’s 19th in European competition for the club, making him Arsenal’s second-highest European goalscorer behind Thierry Henry.
The victory also extended Arsenal’s winning streak in the Champions League league phase to 14 matches, leaving them three short of Bayern Munich’s record of 17, according to the club.
Lille had a goal ruled out for offside in the first half after Ayase Ueda converted a chance following a deflected effort, with a VAR check confirming the decision.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya kept a clean sheet, equalling David Seaman’s record of 38 Champions League appearances by an Arsenal goalkeeper.
Arsenal will return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on Sunday before travelling to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, October 21.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist with Punch Newspapers, bringing over eight years of newsroom experience to his coverage of politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment. Known for sharp interviews and human-centered reporting, his work focuses on public accountability, civic issues, and the stories shaping everyday lives.
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