Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League by defeating Lille 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, according to Sky Sports, on October 12, 2026. The victory keeps Mikel Arteta's side in control of Group C and extends their strong form in both Europe and the Premier League.
Champions League results
Alongside Arsenal's win, other results from the day's fixtures included Lens 0-2 Sporting, Sabah 2-0 Slavia Prague, Atletico Madrid 2-0 Manchester United, Galatasaray 1-4 Barcelona, Inter Milan 3-4 Club Brugge, RB Leipzig 1-0 PSV, Viking 3-3 Bayern Munich, and Villarreal 3-1 Napoli.
Arteta on squad rotation and performance
Speaking after the match, Arteta emphasized the need for Arsenal to balance squad rotation with maintaining high performance levels. "We had to increase the technical level... we gave simple things away," he said. "The ones that started too, we get into some incredible positions. We have to find a way to score." He also acknowledged Lille's quality, noting that "it's difficult in the Champions League - Lille are a brilliant team."
Arsenal winger Eberechi Eze highlighted the team's resilience, stating: "Good performance. We did what we needed to do. Played free and enjoyed it. A lot of teams come with energy so first halves can be difficult but we know that we have to grind teams down eventually."
Lisandro Martinez criticizes Manchester United
Elsewhere in Group C, Manchester United's defeat to Atletico Madrid was overshadowed by strong criticism from defender Lisandro Martinez. "The players haven't been good enough except very few. We need 23 top-class players," Martinez said, suggesting that significant changes are needed for the team to compete at the top level. Former United captain Wayne Rooney responded by warning that such public criticism could further destabilize the club, stating: "That interview is not going to help the situation that the club is in."
Giroud's emotional Arsenal return
The match also marked the return of Olivier Giroud to the Emirates Stadium with Lille. The French striker reflected on his departure from Arsenal in January 2018, which he said was necessary to secure a place in the France squad for the World Cup. "I had to leave the club in order to play the 2018 World Cup... it was a tough one in my career but it was necessary," Giroud said.
Arteta praised Giroud's contribution to Arsenal's history, describing him as a player who "brought a lot of success to the club" and highlighting his impact in the dressing room. "Every time you had him on the pitch, you had a massive threat inside the box," Arteta added.
The result leaves Arsenal in a strong position as they look to progress from Group C, with Arteta's focus remaining on consistency and adaptability as the campaign continues.