Arsenal 6-0 Lens: Player ratings as Gunners win Group B in style

Arsenal won Group B with a matchday to spare as they put six past Lens in the Champions League following a superb first-half performance.

Given the events that transpired in the reverse fixture, the Gunners would've expected a slog on Wednesday night. However, Lens rather brazen approach after they gifted two goals in the first 20 minutes saw them concede five before half-time.

The visitors were pitiful defending their box for Kai Havertz's and Gabriel Jesus' goals before contriving to surrender far too much space in transition as Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martin Odegaard all got in on the act before half-time.

The second half was more subdued with Arsenal unwilling to run up a cricket score. Chances came few and far between at both ends, but there was time for the hosts to add another towards the end of the contest as Jorginho scored his first Arsenal goal from the penalty spot.

Here are the player ratings from the Gunners' five-star Champions League showing.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 7/10 - Had to claim a few high balls, which he did with aplomb. Shot-stopping wasn't tested, but his distribution was impressive.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (RB) - 8/10 - Excellent in the first half. Bustling runs forward caused an issue as he notched two assists. His first for Martinelli was a superb switch - but did he mean it?

William Saliba (CB) - 6.5/10 - Elye Wahi outwitted a couple of times in the first half, but Saliba would recover to subdue the threat.

Gabriel (CB) - 7.5/10 - Used his body superbly to tame Wahi in behind. Another fine display from the towering Brazilian, who preserved Arsenal's clean sheet with an excellent block at the death.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) - 6/10 - The Ukrainian was withdrawn after 45 minutes with Arsenal well out in front. A stress-free outing.

Midfielders

Declan Rice (DM) - 8/10 - After a fairly quiet opening period, Rice was arguably the standout performer in the second half - even if he was withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - 7/10 - Didn't need to pick locks as we thought he might have to given the space Lens afforded in transition. Got in on the act with a volleyed finish just before half-time.

Kai Havertz (CM) - 8/10 - Reaping the benefits of crashing the box and getting closer to the opposition goal. Had a hand in the third goal but winning the second ball. Growing in confidence.

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - 8.5/10 - Key to Arsenal's lightning-fast start. His determined run led to Jesus' cool finish, and he got himself on the scoresheet swiftly after. Benefitted from Tomiyasu's marauding runs and Lens' willingless to leave him one-v-one.

Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 8.5/10 - Champions League Jesus just hits different, doesn't it? The Brazilian scored his fourth goal of the group stage on Wednesday night with a typically cool sequence in the box. Ran the Lens defence ragged.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 7/10 - Loved the space he was afforded and he feasted in the first half. Martinelli's goal was divine. Had less success after the restart.

Substitutes

• Ben White - 6.5/10
• Jakub Kiwior - 6/10
• Reiss Nelson - 6/10
• Jorginho - 6.5/10
• Eddie Nketiah - N/A

Player of the match: Gabriel Jesus