Coach Mikel Arteta admitted he did not expect Arsenal to be able to crush Lens 6-0 to enter the Champions League knockout round one round early.
"I didn't even dream of getting this result," Arteta said after the win at the Emirates. "We had the chance to finish top of the table today and we did it convincingly against a strong opponent. From the start, the team showed determination and determination and everything went right, especially in the first 30 minutes."
Arsenal players celebrate with Jorginho (center) after the Italian midfielder sealed a 6-0 win over Lens in the fifth round of Group B of the Champions League at Emirates Stadium on November 29. Photo: Reuters
At the Emirates Stadium on November 29, Arsenal played brilliantly and won 6-0 thanks to six different players. In the first 45 minutes, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard scored, helping Arsenal become the first English club to lead by five goals at half-time in the Champions League. The Gunners are also the first club in the history of the tournament to have five different players score in the first half, not counting own goals.
In the second half, Arteta replaced key players Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus. But Arsenal still dominated, creating many chances against a demoralized Lens, then sealed the score 6-0 thanks to a penalty kick by Jorginho. This was the English club's biggest victory over a French opponent in European competition.
Arteta was pleased with the performance, as Arsenal were able to score a lot but still focused on defending to keep a clean sheet. He also appreciated his players maintaining the intensity until the final whistle, despite settling the match early in the first 45 minutes. "When the team has that body language, trying every ball and every game the way we do, good things happen," said Arteta. "The team wants to win, not concede and that's the mentality we need to get better."
However, the Spanish coach was cautious when asked about his Champions League ambitions. "Now we have to wait," Arteta replied. "In February, Arsenal will know who our next opponent is in the last 16 and we will see how we are at that time."
Coach Arteta hugs Saka after taking the winger off in the second half of Arsenal's 6-0 win over Lens at the Emirates Stadium in the fifth round of Group B of the Champions League on November 29. Photo: Reuters
The thrashing of Lens helped Arsenal secure a ticket to the next round as the top of Group B with one round to spare. The English representative currently has 12 points, while PSV has eight points, Lens has five points and Sevilla has two points. Arteta emphasized that he wants to win every match, but admitted the possibility of rotating and giving opportunities to players who have played less in the final round, away to PSV on December 12.
Meanwhile, captain Odegaard said: "It was a beautiful night at the Emirates in the Champions League. We started strongly and won impressively. It was a bit crazy to be honest but we did very well. The intensity, the rhythm and what we did in the box was fantastic."
The Norwegian midfielder is proud to captain Arsenal in the Champions League and explained his decision to let Jorginho take penalties. "I think it's good for him as well," Odegaard said. "Different goalscorers are good for the team and good for the confidence. So I'm happy to see that."
On December 2, Arsenal will continue to play at Emirates Stadium against Wolves in round 14 of the Premier League.
Hong Duy
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