Arsenal scored four in just 14 minutes as Mikel Arteta’s side put Atlético Madrid to the sword, extending their 100 per cent record in the Champions League, with summer signing Viktor Gyokeres also ending his goal drought.
Viktor Gyokeres bags Arsenal brace in 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone’s Atlético set up shop right from the get-go and were determined to make life very difficult for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Bar a few promising flashes of play, with both sides hitting the crossbar, Atlético thwarted Arteta’s men in the first half. The Gunners largely struggled to create a clear-cut opening, but past 57 minutes, the floodgates opened for Arsenal.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed home the first of Arsenal’s quartet in a scintillating second period. His compatriot, Gabriel Martinelli, thanks to some great work from Myles Lewis-Skelly, then added a second with 64 minutes gone before Gyokeres landed a quickfire double in the 67th and 70th minutes to leave Simeone’s side shell-shocked.
Atlético had scored seven goals in their opening two Champions League matches but rarely looked like threatening Arsenal’s back line as Arteta’s men recorded a third clean sheet in as many games in Europe and a fourth in a row in all competitions.
Eberechi Eze could’ve got himself on the scoresheet too, having watched a strike loop off David Hancko’s ankle and over goalkeeper Jan Oblak, before the summer signing was denied a first Champions League goal by the bar.
The headlines will belong to Gyokeres, who ended his seven-game run without a goal in all competitions thanks to some expert poaching inside the area.
The Swede, who’s been criticised for his lack of goal involvement lately, breathed a huge sigh of relief after bundling home his first from close range, before feeding off Gabriel’s headed assist to score a second.
The ex-Sporting CP star can now kick on and put his dry spell behind him, but he has serious competition for the crown of Arsenal’s best player against Atlético.
Paul Merson praises "outstanding" Bukayo Saka in Arsenal win
Alongside Gyokeres, £195,000-per-week winger Bukayo Saka also made his mark — particularly in the first 45.
The England international linked well with Jurrien Timber down Arsenal’s right-hand side and proved a constant menace for David Hancko, Koke and Nico Gonzalez to deal with.
While Saka wasn’t rewarded with a goal or assist to show for his efforts, the 24-year-old, who’s held talks over a new deal at N5, was lavished with praise for his attacking display by club legend Paul Merson.
Bukayo Saka
5
Gabriel Magalhaes
3
Viktor Gyokeres
3
Julian Alvarez
3
Eberechi Eze
2
via WhoScored
Merson was overseeing the Arsenal clash on Sky Sports News, providing commentary on each of the goals, and he was thrilled with a delightful piece of interplay which threatened to expose Atlético in the first-half.
Saka was at the heart of it, with Merson calling Saka “outstanding” and “by far the best player on the pitch”, adding that the Hale End sensation had Koke “on toast” [20:28].
As per usual, Saka played his part massively, and Arteta will be thrilled that the player’s hamstring injury woes are well and truly behind him.
The forward also captained Arsenal on a night to remember for the north Londoners, who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, only to be knocked out by eventual winners PSG.
Watching Arsenal sweep aside their European opposition thus far, it’s very fair to suggest they could reach that stage again, or even go one further.
Arsenal join PSG and last season’s beaten finalists Inter Milan on nine points from the nine available, with Arteta seriously on course for the knockout rounds.