MIKEL Arteta paid special tribute to Arsenal’s “life president”, the late Ken Friar, after his team dispatched Lille with three expertly crafted second-half goals.

It was a confident and dominant performance from the Gunners who took a while to get going but eventually swept aside the French team with ease to continue their perfect start to the Champions League campaign.

Three exquisitely worked goals were a statement that this Arsenal side can play free-flowing, attacking football.

The football was at times reminiscent of the free-flowing and creative ‘Wengerball’ – as Arsenal strung together long passing moves and kept Lille pinned back in their own half.

Arteta dedicated the victory to Arsenal legend Mr Friar, OBE, whose death was announced on the morning before the game.

The Arsenal boss said: “It’s a really sad day for everybody that loves Arsenal Football Club and everybody who loves football.

“There are people in football clubs who have a role and they fulfill that role. But there are others who are there to create an identity, they create values and they have a vision to create a future for the football club.

“And I think that the legacy that Ken is going to leave is forever. I want to pass on all our love to his friends and family.”

Arsenal dominated the first half of the game but found it difficult to break down a stubborn Lille defence.

They found some joy on both wings but ultimately couldn’t find the final delivery or finish in the first half to punish the visitors.

The travelling fans had spent the day parading through London with drums and banners, and bounced around the away end for the whole match despite a non-eventful showing from their side.

They had a goal disallowed for offside 20 minutes in, but ultimately their side’s lack of conviction going forward invited sustained waves of attack from Arsenal.

Bruno Guimarães had the best chance of the half after a delightful move found him with space at the edge of the box, but he pinged his shot wide of the post.

After the break the Gunners continued to mount the pressure and eventually broke the deadlock with a stroke of brilliance by Jurriën Timber, who turned delightfully inside the box and lofted the ball over the keeper.

And once Arsenal had got going they showed a ruthless hunger to punish their opponents further. Almost immediately after the goal they brought on Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.

Eberechi Eze got the second just three minutes later as he capped off a free-flowing attacking move with a perfectly placed finish from outside of the box.

And then just a couple of moments later Bukayo Saka added his name to the scoresheet, slotting home after another brilliant move.

There has been a lot of talk around the talisman’s form as of late, but he simply shrugged and grinned after bagging a goal and assist from off the bench.

French striker Olivier Giroud, who played alongside Mikel Arteta under Wenger, made a return to the Emirates when he was substituted on with ten minutes to go.

The striker was met with a standing ovation, and some boos, too. After all, he once told reporters that Chelsea were a “bigger club” than Arsenal. Some do not forget.

Arteta will be hoping that Arsenal can continue their form when they go to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Then, it is a big European away day at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday.

ARSENAL: Raya, Gabriel, Eze (Dowman 84), Timber (White 78), Gyökeres (Havertz 65), Konsa, Madueke (Saka 65), Merino  (Odegaard 65), Guimarães, Rice, Lewis-Skelly
Subs not used: Kepa, Meslier, Mosquera, Calafiori, O’Neill, Hashi, Salmon