By
SABC Sport
14th October 2026
Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock at the Emirates after 64 minutes. Eberechi Ezi quickly doubled the Gunners' lead just three minutes later and Bukayo Saka ensured the result with his goal in the 71st minute of the tie.
The result sees Arsenal move into third place on the league standings with six points from their opening two games - having previously defeated Napoli 1-0.
Lille are down in 32nd place without a point, having also lost to 3-2 to Real Betis.
Speaking after the game, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta dedicated the win to the club's late life President Ken Friar, who passed away this week, aged 92.
"That's for him. I'm sure that he has enjoyed the win, the manner that the team played. I know that he was very, very proud about the position of the club right now, the players that we have and the unity and the connection that we have built," he said.
"It's a really sad day. When I woke up, I received a call from Richard Garlick to let me know that Ken had passed away. I had the honour to meet him, to spend time with him, to learn from him.
"His legacy is enormous; it was an absolute pleasure to spend time with him. He's going to be missed, but the good thing is that he's left a legacy. He's going to live forever with this football club and everybody that has come across him.
"He never wanted to take credit for anything. He was super focused and thorough in a lot of things. He could joke; the energy that he had at his age was something incredible and that's what made him so special, unique."
