Arsenal scored 4 in simply 14 minutes as Mikel Arteta’s aspect put Atlético Madrid to the sword, extending their 100 per cent report within the Champions League, with summer time signing Viktor Gyokeres additionally ending his aim drought.
Viktor Gyokeres baggage Arsenal brace in 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone’s Atlético arrange store proper from the get-go and have been decided to make life very tough for Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium.
Bar just a few promising flashes of play, with either side hitting the crossbar, Atlético thwarted Arteta’s males within the first half. The Gunners largely struggled to create a clear-cut opening, however previous 57 minutes, the floodgates opened for Arsenal.
Gabriel Magalhaes headed residence the primary of Arsenal’s quartet in a scintillating second interval. His compatriot, Gabriel Martinelli, due to some nice work from Myles Lewis-Skelly, then added a second with 64 minutes gone earlier than Gyokeres landed a quickfire double within the 67th and seventieth minutes to depart Simeone’s aspect shell-shocked.
Atlético had scored seven targets of their opening two Champions League matches however not often appeared like threatening Arsenal’s again line as Arteta’s males recorded a 3rd clear sheet in as many video games in Europe and a fourth in a row in all competitions.
Eberechi Eze may’ve acquired himself on the scoresheet too, having watched a strike loop off David Hancko’s ankle and over goalkeeper Jan Oblak, earlier than the summer time signing was denied a primary Champions League aim by the bar.
The headlines will belong to Gyokeres, who ended his seven-game run with out a aim in all competitions due to some skilled poaching inside the realm.
The Swede, who’s been criticised for his lack of aim involvement these days, breathed an enormous sigh of aid after bundling residence his first from shut vary, earlier than feeding off Gabriel’s headed help to attain a second.
The ex-Sporting CP star can now kick on and put his dry spell behind him, however he has critical competitors for the crown of Arsenal’s greatest participant towards Atlético.
Paul Merson praises “excellent” Bukayo Saka in Arsenal win
Alongside Gyokeres, £195,000-per-week winger Bukayo Saka additionally made his mark — notably within the first 45.
The England worldwide linked nicely with Jurrien Timber down Arsenal’s right-hand aspect and proved a relentless menace for David Hancko, Koke and Nico Gonzalez to cope with.
Whereas Saka wasn’t rewarded with a aim or help to indicate for his efforts, the 24-year-old, who’s held talks over a brand new deal at N5, was lavished with reward for his attacking show by membership legend Paul Merson.
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid – most pictures | Complete |
|---|---|
Bukayo Saka | 5 |
Gabriel Magalhaes | 3 |
Viktor Gyokeres | 3 |
Julian Alvarez | 3 |
Eberechi Eze | 2 |
through WhoScored | |
Merson was overseeing the Arsenal conflict on Sky Sports activities Information, offering commentary on every of the targets, and he was thrilled with a pleasant piece of interaction which threatened to show Atlético within the first-half.
Saka was on the coronary heart of it, with Merson calling Saka “excellent” and “by far the very best participant on the pitch”, including that the Hale Finish sensation had Koke “on toast” [20:28].
As per common, Saka performed his half massively, and Arteta shall be thrilled that the participant’s hamstring harm woes are nicely and really behind him.
The ahead additionally captained Arsenal on an evening to recollect for the north Londoners, who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League final season, solely to be knocked out by eventual winners PSG.
Watching Arsenal sweep apart their European opposition to this point, it is very reasonable to recommend they might attain that stage once more, and even go one additional.
Arsenal be a part of PSG and final season’s crushed finalists Inter Milan on 9 factors from the 9 obtainable, with Arteta severely on target for the knockout rounds.
