Jack Wilshere scored inside 30 seconds and again after the break to pull off a victory against French side Marseille keep the Gunners three points clear at the top of their group in the Champions League. Wilshere was the star of the show in a game the hosts controlled throughout, even affording the luxury of Mesut Ozil’s first-half penalty miss as they continued their impressive Champions League form this season. Now Arsenal only need to avoid a three-goal defeat in their final Champions League group game away to Napoli in Italy to reach the knockout phase after a comfortable win against Marseille at Emirates Stadium. Arsene Wenger’s side would already be in the last 16 had Rafael Benitez’s team got a point against Borussia Dortmund as Arsenal completed the formalities against a poor Marseille.
Wilshere was given too much time and space in the area but still showed superb vision and technique to curl a left-foot finish high past keeper Steve Mandanda. Ozil was unusually off-key in the first half, his control letting him down when he was released by a touch of imagination and a lofted flick from Ramsey. And the German was the culprit as he wasted the opportunity to double Arsenal’s lead from the penalty spot as half-time approached when Ramsey was fouled by Nicolas N’Koulou. Ozil almost made amends after 55 minutes when he ran on to Wilshere’s pass but Mandanda was down quickly to save the £42.4m signing’s poked finish. He showed his quality as the Gunners finally established the advantage their superiority deserved after 65 minutes. Ramsey was the initial creator but Ozil’s neat pass left Wilshere with the simple task of sweeping a finish past Mandanda.
Dortmund’s win against Napoli in Germany means the testing Group F will go to the final round of games.