Arsenal 2 Marseille 0: We lacked sharpness, admits Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger admitted Arsenal lacked “sharpness” in front of goal, despite watching his side take a big step towards the Champions League last 16 with victory against Marseille.

Jack Wilshere gave the hosts the lead inside 30 seconds at Emirates Stadium when he curled home a delightful left-footed shot from inside the box.

Mesut Özil then saw his penalty saved just before half-time, but Wilshere fired in the Germany international’s cross in the 65th minute to secure victory for the north Londoners and put them in control of Group F.

“We were in control and it looked at times that we lacked a bit of sharpness to finish the game off,” said Wenger, whose side will book a place in the last 16 regardless of other results if they can seal a draw at Napoli on 11 December.

“But overall we were always in control of the game and the only regret is that we couldn’t score more goals.

“We have 12 points in five games overall, it’s a good number of points, and I’m confident we can take another point or three in Naples if we play well.

“It will be a difficult game in Napoli but we have played other difficult games away from home against very good opponents and have done well. That’s what we have to put in our minds.

“We have to finish the job. It is not an easy situation – it is a tricky situation because you can think ‘OK, let’s just not lose big’ but I think that would be a mistake.

“We need to go there, play in a positive way and try to win the game. Everything else would be a dangerous gamble.

“Having said that, Marseille will play the last game at home to Dortmund – they haven’t lost [that game] yet. They will have to turn up. They will be under pressure to at least take some points from this group stage.”