Mikel Arteta was left delighted with Arsenal’s performance as they smashed RC Lens 6-0 to win their Champions League group with a game to spare but insists his side must ‘demand more from each other’ ahead of the knockouts.
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It was a perfect evening for the Gunners at the Emirates, with six different players getting on the scoresheet as the north Londoners secured top spot in Group B.
Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Jorginho all registered goals in Arsenal’s joint-biggest ever win under Arteta.
Arsenal travel to PSV in their final group match on December 12 but it is now a dead rubber for Arteta’s side, who have won four of their five European games.
‘Today was the day to get it done (qualify for the last 16),’ Arteta told TNT Sports.
‘We did it in a beautiful way. We scored five goals against a really good side [in the first half].
‘You can become really sloppy. And there were parts of the second half with different behaviours but we stayed really focused.’
Quizzed about winning Group B to book their spot in the last 16, Arteta added: ‘It’s great because the schedule we have at the moment is crazy.
‘We’re already thinking about Wolves [in the Premier League] in 72 hours.
‘We have to demand more from each other. We’ll have to be well prepared for Wolves.’
The match saw Saka become first Premier League player – and second across Europe’s big five leagues – to reach 10 assists in all competitions this season.
‘Everyone is really happy,’ Saka said. ‘It’s our first time back in the Champions League for a while and we’ve qualified with a game to go.
‘When we first looked at our group we wanted to finish top. We’ve done that so can be proud.
‘The boss is already reminding us to just enjoy a little bit and then focus on Wolves on Saturday.
‘Not really [happy at coming off]. I wanted to play 90 minutes but I understand his decision. Now I’m focused on Wolves, I want to do my best in that game.’
Arsenal’s victory also saw Jesus become the first player to score in each of his first four Champions League appearances for an English team.
‘We were amazing,’ Jesus said. ‘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.
‘Playing at home, we know our support is amazing. They push us. We want to win the game and qualify. Congratulations to the whole team. We didn’t concede a goal. We kept a clean sheet and then we scored in the last minutes.
‘I watch the Champions League a lot at home. I love football. The Champions League is special, like the Premier League. I already won the Premier League, I want to win here, but I want to win the Champions League as well.’
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