Arsenal 3-0 LOSC Lille: result and report

Report

Arsenal won 3-0, and the performance was every bit as one-sided as the scoreline. They were expected to win at home. The only surprise was how long it took for the goals to arrive.

The game stayed goalless for more than an hour, though once Arsenal scored, it was over within seven minutes.

Jurriën Timber opened the scoring on 64 minutes from Noni Madueke's pass. Eberechi Eze made it 2-0 three minutes later after Bukayo Saka set him up.

Arsenal's chances against LOSC Lille's resistance

The numbers show why the breakthrough always looked likely. Arsenal had 12 shots to LOSC Lille's one, put eight on target and created four big chances while Lille created none. Their xG of 1.77 against 0.30 points to a side making good chances all game, not one that got lucky in a short spell.

Lille still held out for a long time, because their goalkeeper made five saves. Arsenal also missed two big chances, so the final margin could easily have been wider.

The territory numbers back this up. Arsenal had 98 dangerous attacks to Lille's five and 13 key passes to four. Possession was closer at 58% to 42%, which suggests Arsenal's edge came from where they had the ball rather than how much of it they had.

Lille's problem was at the other end, because they produced one shot and nothing on target all night. David Raya kept a clean sheet without needing to make a save.

Timber, rated the best player on the pitch, scored the goal that changed the game. Lille had kept Arsenal out until then, but they had no attacking threat of their own once they fell behind.