Arsenal were going nowhere for the best part of an hour at the Emirates Stadium. Then Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze scored three minutes apart, Bukayo Saka added a third, and a flat Champions League evening against Lille became a 3-0 victory.
Two goals in three second half minutes kicked Mikel Arteta’s side into life, and by the finish the Gunners had cruised past a disappointing French opponent.
Arsenal, finalists in the competition last season, had been devoid of ideas until midway through the second period, when Timber and Eze found the net in quick succession to leave Lille chasing the game.
Once more this season, the quality Arteta could call on from the bench proved decisive, with Saka helping himself to the third goal on 71 minutes after Timber had opened the scoring on 64 and Eze had struck on 67.
Arteta had rotated his squad, handing Viktor Gyokeres a start in attack, while David Raya moved level with David Seaman for the most European Cup and Champions League appearances in goal for Arsenal, reaching 38.
Lille were led by Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo, who has won the Champions League a record five times as a manager. He sent his players out to frustrate the hosts, and the approach worked for a long stretch against an Arsenal team short of pace.
Arsenal’s first genuine opening arrived when Timber cut a fine ball back, only for Bruno Guimaraes to put it wide from close range. Mikel Merino then mistimed a free header and planted it straight at Berke Ozer, before Lille had the ball in the net when Ayase Ueda swept in, a goal chalked off for offside.
Arsenal laboured on, and Ozer reacted brilliantly to claw away a dipping shot from Guimaraes just before the break.
Timber breaks the resistance
The opening to the second half was just as poor, but as Arteta prepared a triple change, Timber gave his side the lead in style. He collected Noni Madueke’s pass inside the area, drove away from a defender and clipped the ball in across goal to score a fabulous opener.
Arteta duly sent on Kai Havertz, captain Martin Odegaard and Saka, and the substitute instantly found Eze to drive in the second. Saka then smashed in a third, with Havertz getting in behind and cutting back a lovely pass.
Lille forward Olivier Giroud got on to face his former club at the age of 40 and was given a hero’s reception, but the contest had long since been settled.
Arsenal move into fourth place in the early table, while Lille are pointless down in 32nd.
Arsenal sit fourth in the early standings and Lille remain without a point in 32nd. Once again, the game turned on the options Arteta could introduce from the bench, and against a Lille side that defended diligently for an hour, that strength in depth proved the difference.
