Arsenal produced a blistering second half performance to dismantle Atlético Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium, scoring all four goals in a devastating 13-minute spell that left the Spanish side reeling.
The result maintains the Gunners’ perfect start to the Champions League campaign and extends their winning streak to six matches across all competitions.
Viktor Gyökeres, who had gone over a month without scoring, ended his drought in emphatic fashion with a brace, while Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli also found the net in a match that showcased Arsenal’s attacking depth and defensive solidity. The win sees Mikel Arteta’s side join Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan on nine points from three games, firmly on course for the knockout stages.
The game began with Arsenal on the front foot. Eberechi Eze came close to opening the scoring inside five minutes, his deflected strike looping over Jan Oblak but crashing against the crossbar. Declan Rice’s follow-up also missed the target. Eze continued to impress, threading a precise pass to Bukayo Saka midway through the first half, but Oblak did just enough to deny the England winger.
Atlético had their moments, including a long range effort from Julián Álvarez after a lapse in judgment from David Raya, but the visitors failed to capitalize. Martinelli had a goal ruled out for offside just before the break, and Álvarez struck the woodwork early in the second half, but it was Arsenal who seized control.
The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Martinelli won a free kick on the touchline. Rice delivered a pinpoint ball into the box, and Gabriel rose unmarked to head past Oblak. Seven minutes later, Myles Lewis-Skelly, making a rare appearance, drove through midfield and set up Martinelli, who curled a composed finish into the far corner.
Gyökeres then took center stage. First, he pounced on a loose ball after Eze’s volley was blocked, digging out a shot that deflected off Dávid Hancko and into the net. Three minutes later, Rice’s corner was nodded down by Gabriel and bundled in off Gyökeres’ body, sealing a quickfire double and a memorable night for the Swedish striker.
Atlético, who had scored seven goals in their opening two group matches, offered little resistance and failed to trouble Arsenal’s back line. The Gunners recorded their third consecutive clean sheet in Europe and have now conceded just three goals in 12 matches this season.
