Declan Rice was credited with taking Arsenal “to another level” after the resurgent Gunners stormed into the Champions League round of 16 for the first time in seven years.
Arsenal, who are also top of the Premier League, had six different scorers in a 6-0 rout of Lens at Emirates Stadium
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho found the back of the net as Arsenal became the first English club to lead by five goals at halftime of a Champions League match.
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But it was a man who didn’t trouble the scorers who received the lion’s share of the plaudits at fulltime.
“Declan Rice just received a standing ovation from everyone here at the Emirates,” Katie Shanahan said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“Mr Consistent. He’s taking Arsenal to another level. (Manager) Mikel Arteta said in his press conference that Arsenal have a point to prove in Europe. Since he’s been at Arsenal, they’ve only reached the Europa League semi-finals and he wants to go further.
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“Tonight’s performance – and players they brought in like Declan Rice and Kai Havertz – you just feel as though Arsenal can push for the Champions League this season.”
Arsenal will wrap up its group stage campaign away to PSV Eindhoven, which is assured of second place in Group B.
The Gunners faded in the Premier League last season and are determined not to let history repeat.
“Manchester City just put their foot on the gas in the second half of last season,” Shanahan said.
“And Arsenal just slipped away and it really cost them. I think they’re going to really feel that this season. I think they’re going to need to bring in another striker, a 20 goal striker. Ivan Toney, I’ve been hearing, is top of Mikel Arteta’s list.
“He scored 21 goals for Brentford last season and will want to come back with a vengeance after his ban (for gambling offences).”
Havertz followed up his morale boosting late winner at Brentford in the Premier League at the weekend by scoring from close range from Jesus’ layoff to give Arsenal the lead in the 13th minute.
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.
After Saka chested in a rebound and Martinelli curled a shot into the corner, Arsenal had scored four goals in a 14 minute span.
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Odegaard’s volley from Takehiro Tomiyasu’s cross in stoppage time capped a dominant first half display that allowed Arsenal to conserve some energy after the break ahead of a busy December.
“The thing about Arteta’s team is they’ll take the ball off you if you’re not capable,” Craig Foster said on Stan Sport.
“They want to press you, take the ball off you, every moment of the game. Their execution, their effectiveness, efficiency as (Arsene) Wenger used to call it, it was just so high in this game. Eight shots on target and they scored six goals. I’m a big fan of this Arsenal team and I’m thrilled to see them through.”