Well, eventually, Arsenal defeated Lille. This was about as far from a vintage European performance you can get but once all was said and done, last season’s finalists had secured a 3-0 victory.
The French side made Mikel Arteta’s men fight hard for their Champions League victory and were good value for a 0-0 scoreline heading into the final third of the match.
However, much how things unfolded against Leeds last weekend, Arsenal scored and then rammed home their advantage after a host of subs had been made.
Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze both scored their first goals of the season before Bukayo Saka netted his fourth of the campaign.
How Arsenal defeated Lille
One of Arsenal’s key objectives this season is to win the Champions League. To achieve that, however, they will need to play a lot better than they did in the opening 45 minutes on Tuesday night.
For a successive home game, this was a laboured performance, particularly in the final third.
At the back, Mikel Arteta’s side were unnerved. But for a disallowed goal from Ayase Ueda, the visitors didn’t offer up much. Then again, neither did the hosts.
As usual, everything about the performance was perfect until they got the ball near the penalty area. Time and time again, possession was worked out to the flanks, only for the cross to be overhit.
The final ball was found wanting on far too many occasions but the pendulum swung on 64 minutes when Timber took a brilliant touch inside the penalty area and then lifted the ball over the goalkeeper. Arsenal had woken up at last.
The next seven mintues saw Arteta’s men play some of the best football they have played all season.
After the opening goal, the boss rang the changes, as he did against Leeds last Saturday. Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz all came on. Saka had a devastating impact.
He supplied Eze’s goal inside the penalty area before he turned goalscorer, chopping back onto his left foot and then firing home. They were vital goals for two players who have been criticised in recent weeks for their lack of end product.
In truth, they dug out Viktor Gyokeres and his colleague on the right flank.
4/10 performer is to blame for Viktor Gyokeres’ performance
As usual on a rare start for Gyokeres, one of the biggest talking points at the end of the 90 minutes was about his display.
During the international break, the striker was in red-hot form for Sweden, scoring four goals in four games. Thus, he had arrived back at Colney last week full of beans, full of confidence.
After a shoddy display from Havertz against Leeds, Gyokeres deserved his start but he did not take advantage of a golden opportunity and not the first time either.
The Swede has started three times this term but hasn’t made an impact in any game. Against Napoli and versus Ipswich, it was hard not to criticise him. Yet, against Lille this week, he will rightfully be frustrated with his teammates.
Whatever you think about the former Sporting man, the Gunners are not playing to his strengths. The quality of service he received on Tuesday was distinctly average.
|
Gyokeres vs Lille |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
65 |
|
Touches |
12 |
|
Accurate passes |
6/8 (75%) |
|
Shots |
0 |
|
Offsides |
1 |
|
Key passes |
0 |
|
Dribbles |
0 |
|
Duels won |
1/5 |
|
Carries |
3 |
Playing in the number 10, Mikel Merino created just one chance all night, as did Eze and Noni Madueke. What is Gyokeres meant to do with that?
Sure, his movement could be smarter but on so many occasions he was either ignored or totally starved of the final ball.
He will have every right to be annoyed with Madueke. The England international caught the eye on the left flank last weekend but was back on the right in the Champions League. It’s safe to say he shouldn’t start there again anytime soon.
The 24-year-old did supply Timber’s first-class strike but that was the only positive thing he did during his 65 minutes on the field.
He lost possession on as many as 21 occasions from his 58 touches. As a result, it will hardly come as a surprise to learn that Madueke completed just one of his 15 crosses. That statistic is a sorry one to read and sums up the lack of quality the Β£52m signing has provided since arriving from Chelsea in the summer of 2025.
Madueke’s end product has always been loose but this was exceptionally poor even by his standards. He lost three of his four duels and and only completed 33% of his dribbles.
We are quick to criticise Gyokeres’ movement and his ability to hold up the ball but when presented with a goalscoring opportunity, this is a player who usually takes it.
Sadly for him, Madueke simply didn’t find him. Arsenal’s number 14 had just 12 touches in the game and didn’t have a single shot. That should be on the club’s wide players.
