Arsenal delivered one of their most dominant European performances under Mikel Arteta, sweeping aside Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium in a thrilling Champions League encounter.
After a cagey opening half in which both sides shared half-chances, Arsenal exploded into life after the break, scoring four goals in just 13 minutes to leave Diego Simeone’s men shell-shocked.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Declan Rice’s pinpoint free-kick found Gabriel Magalhães, who surged between defenders to head past Jan Oblak for 1-0. The Emirates erupted and the Gunners never looked back.
Just seven minutes later, Myles Lewis-Skelly ignited a devastating counterattack, driving from deep before releasing Gabriel Martinelli, who rifled a first-time strike into the far corner for a glorious second.
Arsenal’s momentum was unstoppable. Barely three minutes later, Viktor Gyokeres capitalized on a scuffed effort from Eberechi Eze to make it 3-0, before grabbing his second shortly after, bundling home from close range following another Gabriel header across goal.
Atletico Madrid had their moments Julian Alvarez rattled the crossbar early in the second half, while Griezmann, Gallagher, and Almada all went close but none could find a way past David Raya, who stood firm to preserve Arsenal’s clean sheet.
Substitute Ethan Nwaneri nearly added a fifth in stoppage time, forcing a smart save from Oblak, while Saka’s late effort was blocked by Llorente as the Gunners pushed for more.
The result propels Arsenal up to third in the overall Champions League table, with three wins from three and a growing reputation as one of Europe’s most ruthless attacking sides. For Atletico Madrid, however, this was a humbling night — their second defeat in three European games, both suffered on English soil, leaving them languishing in 18th and with plenty of soul-searching to do.
Key Moments
5’ – OFF THE BAR! Eze’s deflected strike clips the crossbar early on.
57’ – GOAL! Gabriel heads Arsenal into the lead from Rice’s free-kick.
64’ – GOAL! Martinelli doubles the advantage after a dazzling run by Lewis-Skelly.
67’ – GOAL! Gyökeres pounces to make it 3-0 from close range.
70’ – GOAL! Gyökeres taps home again after Gabriel’s header — 4-0 Arsenal!
90+2’ – SAVE! Nwaneri’s late effort denied by Oblak.
Other Champions League Results (Yesterday)
Barcelona 6–1 Olympiacos (Red card: Olympiacos 1)
Kairat 0–0 Pafos
Newcastle 3–0 Benfica
PSV 6–2 Napoli (Napoli 2 red cards)
Leverkusen 2–7 PSG (Leverkusen 2 red cards)
Union Saint-Gilloise 0–4 Inter Milan
Copenhagen 2–4 Dortmund
Villarreal 0–2 Manchester City
Final Word
It was a night to remember for Mikel Arteta’s men, whose high-pressing intensity and fluid attacking play dismantled one of Europe’s most experienced defences. Arsenal’s young stars particularly Lewis-Skelly and Gyokeres shone brightly, as the Gunners laid down a marker in their quest for Champions League glory.
