CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 6 (Havertz 13, Jesus 21, Saka 23, Martinelli 28. Odegaard 45, Jorginho pen, 87)

LENS  0

MANAGER Arteta hailed his side’s “aggression” after the Gunners hit Lens for six.

Five goals from five different scorers before half time ensured Arsenal topped their Champions League group with a game to spare.

Kai Havertz, Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and captain Martin Odegaard gleefully bagged goals in a first half frenzy.

The rampage – capped by a Jorginho penalty – was a brutal revenge for the shock away defeat in France.

Arteta said: “I didn’t even dream of this.

“What I liked is that we did it in a convincing way and we showed a lot of aggression to go for it from the start.

“The consistency is the most positive factor. That’s the statement. We believe we can do this against big opponents.

“The crowd wanted more. They were with us for every goal. When you have that connection, it’s really powerful.”

The first ten minutes went by without any hint of a thrashing, with Arsenal passing it about in midfield without any cutting edge.

But suddenly the attackers leapt into life with four goals scored in a blistering 15 minutes spell.

Havertz, growing in confidence with every game, reacted quicker than two centre backs to prod in the opener.

Arteta said: “He is scoring goals, playing well, participating in the wins – and you can see the reception from his teammates and the crowd.”

Saka was crunched to the floor three times in half an hour and was not getting any protection from the referee.

He showed determination to bust through the woeful Lens’ backline and pass to Jesus, who showed great composure to score the second.

He sold his defender like a kipper, giving himself time to stroke a shot into the corner.

Minutes later it was 3-0, this time Saka bundling home a parried Martinelli shot.

The floodgates were open but the Lens’ lively fans didn’t seem to care. They lit up dozens of flares that flooded the stadium with smoke.

Martinelli’s fourth was the pick of the bunch. He burned in from the wing, jinked past the defender and curled perfectly into the far corner.

Lens had a big shout for a penalty waved away after the ball rebounded up off Havertz’s knee onto his wrist.

Odegaard – back from his concussion absence – made it 5-0 at the stroke of half time, thundering in a volley with Martinelli and Jesus watching on while also in goal scoring positions.

The Gunners could afford to sub-off their starters with Saka, Rice, Tomiyasu and Zinchenko making way early in the second half.

Jorginho scored a penalty with his trademark hop and skip to make it six before Gabriel made a goal saving block at the death sending the fans delirious by punching the air and beating his chest.

Arsenal can take a second team to PSV on December 12 knowing they have topped the group.

Arsenal: Raya, Saliba, Gabriel, Saka (Nelson 66), Odegaard, Jesus (Nketiah 82), Martinelli, Tomiyasu (Kiwior 45), Havertz, Zinchenko (White 45), Rice (Jorginho 72)
Subs not used: Ramsdale, Hein, Cedric, Trossard, Elneny, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaaneri

Lens: Samba, Danso, Semed, Sotoce, Wahl, Fulgini, Medina, Heiders, Grodit, Mendy, Frankowsi
Subs not used: Leca, Pandor, Aguiller, Mechado, Da Costa, Diouf, Maouasse, Said, Ayneoui, Khussanov, Thomasson.