Arsenal delivered a statement of intent in Europe with a commanding 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, maintaining their perfect UEFA Champions League record and underlining their credentials as serious contenders for continental glory.
The Gunners, unbeaten in all competitions this season, dismantled Diego Simeone’s side with a devastating second-half display.
Goals from Gabriel Magalhães, Gabriel Martinelli, and a brace from Viktor Gyökeres ensured Arsenal’s third consecutive group-stage win and another clean sheet, stretching their impressive defensive record to just three goals conceded in 12 matches.
For Gyökeres, the night was particularly special. The Swedish striker ended a nine-game goal drought in emphatic style, scoring twice in quick succession to ease concerns about his finishing and repay Mikel Arteta’s continued faith in him.
Signed from Sporting Lisbon to be the club’s long-awaited answer at centre-forward, the 26-year-old had previously managed only three goals in 11 appearances.
The first half saw Arsenal struggle to break through a typically compact Atletico defence.
The visitors nearly capitalised on an early error when goalkeeper David Raya’s poor clearance gifted Julian Alvarez a chance, only for the Argentine to miss the target.
Alvarez then struck the bar early in the second period as Atletico hinted at causing an upset.
However, Arsenal gradually took control and once the breakthrough came, the floodgates opened.
It was a familiar weapon that gave Arsenal the lead: a set-piece. Declan Rice delivered a pin-point free-kick into the box, where Gabriel Magalhães met it with a thunderous header to make it 1-0.
Just minutes later, 18-year-old fullback Myles Lewis-Skelly starting in place of Riccardo Calafiori made the most of his rare opportunity with a bursting run down the left, squaring for Martinelli to curl into the far corner.
It was the Brazilian’s third goal in three Champions League games, and a deserved reward for his persistence.
Then came the moment Gyökeres had been waiting for. On 61 minutes, the Swede pounced on a loose ball in the area, and though his shot took a deflection off David Hancko, it was enough to beat Jan Oblak.
Three minutes later, he was on hand again this time turning home from close range after Gabriel rose highest to meet another Rice corner.
The Emirates erupted, not just in celebration of the scoreline, but in recognition of a player finally finding his rhythm on the European stage.
Arteta used the final quarter of the match to rest key players ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Gabriel, Gyökeres, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Zubimendi were all withdrawn with the job done.
For Atletico Madrid, the defeat marked yet another disappointing away performance.
They remained winless on the road this season and have just three points from three Champions League matches.
After a competitive hour, their collapse was dramatic and uncharacteristic and one that will concern manager Simeone deeply.
This result also compounded Atletico’s miserable record in England, having lost their previous match on British soil against Liverpool.
Arsenal, who reached the semi-finals last season before falling to eventual winners PSG, now sit alongside PSG and Inter Milan as the only teams with maximum points from their opening three group-stage fixtures.
After a summer of significant investment, Arteta’s side looks more complete than ever.
With a rock-solid defence, fluid midfield, and a striker rediscovering his scoring touch, Arsenal’s quest for a first-ever Champions League title is gathering real momentum.
