Arsenal 6-0 RC Lens

Premier League and now a group winner with a game to spare in the Champions League.

Arsenal’s season could hardly be going any better.

The English team had six different scorers in a 6-0 rout of Lens on Wednesday that secured a place in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard — Arsenal’s quintet of attacking players — scored at Emirates Stadium as Arsenal became the first English club to lead by five goals at halftime of a Champions League match.

 Having climbed to the top of the Premier League at the weekend, Arsenal will look to maintain that momentum as they host Lens in a match that could see the north London side claim their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Gunners are currently on nine points at the top of UCL Group B, four points clear of nearest rivals PSV, with their only defeat in the competition coming against their opponents tonight in the reverse fixture in France.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus speaking to TNT Sports: “We were amazing. Everyone was focused. We controlled the game. They tried to come in the second half. At the end everyone played amazing. The team performance was top. We have to keep going.

Lens stayed in third place in Group B and needs just a draw at home to Sevilla in two weeks to finish in that position and seal a place in the Europa League’s knockout playoff round.

Arsenal wraps up its group-stage campaign at PSV Eindhoven, which is assured of second place.

Havertz followed up his morale-boosting late winner at Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday by scoring from close range from Jesus’ layoff to give Arsenal the lead in the 13th.

Jesus cut back onto his right foot to deceive two defenders and slotted a finish into the corner to make it 2-0 and score in a fourth separate game in the Champions League this season.

Less than 60 seconds into the second half, Arsenal were celebrating again after Martin Odeegard lashed a cross home from eight yards out. Jorginho got the sixth and final tally, from the penalty spot, in the 86th minute.

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Sarah H

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