Mikel Arteta’s side extended their 100 per cent record in the Champions League by scoring four goals in just 14 minutes against Atletico Madrid, while summer signing Victor Goqueres also ended his goal drought.
Victor Goqueres scores twice to lead Arsenal to a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s Atletico were ready from the start and determined to make life extremely difficult for Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Apart from a few promising plays, with both teams hitting the crossbar, Atlético thwarted Arteta’s side in the first half. The Gunners struggled for the most part to take the lead, but the floodgates opened for Arsenal after 57 minutes.
Gabriel Magalhães fired home the first goal for the Arsenal quartet in a brilliant second period. Compatriot Gabriel Martinelli added a second after 64 minutes thanks to some fine work from Miles Lewis-Skelly, and Gokeres’ fast-break doubles in the 67th and 70th minutes stunned Simeone’s side shell.
Atlético had scored seven goals in their opening two Champions League games, but there was little sign of threatening Arsenal’s backline as Arteta’s side recorded their third clean sheet in European competition and their fourth in a row in all competitions.
Ebelesi Eze could have been on the scoresheet himself if he had witnessed David Hanko’s looping shot from the ankle and past goalkeeper Jan Oblak before the summer signing’s first Champions League goal was denied by the bar.
The headline will be Gokeres. Gökeres failed to score in seven games in all competitions thanks to the recruitment of experts in the area.
The Swede, who has been criticized recently for his lack of goal involvement, breathed a huge sigh of relief after scoring the first goal from close range, before setting up Gabriel’s header for the second goal.
The former Sporting CP star is now able to start after a dry spell, but faces serious competition from Atletico for the title of Arsenal’s man of the match.
Paul Merson praises ‘outstanding’ Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s win
Alongside Gokeres, £195,000-a-week winger Bukayo Saka has also impressed, particularly in the first 45 games.
The England international linked up well with Julian Timber on Arsenal’s right flank and proved to be a constant threat to David Hanko, Koke and Nico Gonzalez.
Although Saka didn’t get the goals or assists to match his efforts, the 24-year-old, who is in talks to sign a new contract with N5, was lavished with praise for his attacking performances from club legend Paul Merson.
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid – Most shots | total |
|---|---|
Bukayo Saka | 5 |
Gabriel Magalhães | 3 |
Victor Gokeres | 3 |
julian alvarez | 3 |
god bless you | 2 |
via scorer | |
Melson oversaw the game against Arsenal for Sky Sports News, breaking down each goal and was excited by the excellent interplay in the first half that had the potential to put Atletico in danger.
At the heart of it all was Saka, with Merson calling him “outstanding” and “by far the best player on the pitch”, adding that the Hale End sensation had made Koke “toast” (20:28).
As usual, Saka played his role to a great extent and Arteta will be thrilled that the player’s hamstring injury problems are now fully resolved.
The forward also captained Arsenal, who reached the Champions League semi-finals last season but lost to eventual winners PSG, making it an unforgettable night for the North Londoners.
Having seen Arsenal wipe out their European opponents so far, it’s very fair to suggest they could reach that stage again, or go even higher.
Arsenal have nine points out of nine, joining PSG and last season’s finalists Inter Milan, who lost out to last season’s finalists, and Arteta is serious about making it to the finals.
