Arsenal delivered a masterclass in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, cruising to a commanding 4–0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. The result extends their flawless start to the competition and further cements their status as one of Europe’s most in-form teams this season.
After a tightly contested first half, the floodgates opened in the second period, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli setting the tone before Viktor Gyokeres struck twice to complete a dominant performance for Mikel Arteta’s men. The win means Arsenal now boast nine points from their first three games, joining Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan as the only clubs with a perfect record so far.
For Gyokeres, it was a night of redemption. The Swedish striker, who joined from Sporting Lisbon to lead Arsenal’s attack, ended his nine-game goal drought in emphatic fashion. His brace came within 13 minutes of each other, finally rewarding Arteta’s faith in him as the team’s clinical finisher. Prior to Tuesday’s match, Gyokeres had managed just three goals in 11 appearances this season.
Arsenal’s dominance was built on both resilience and precision. Atletico Madrid held their own in the opening hour, with Julian Alvarez twice coming close to scoring—first after capitalizing on a poor clearance from goalkeeper David Raya, and later when his long-range effort rattled the crossbar. Arsenal also struck the woodwork through Eberechi Eze’s deflected shot, but once the hosts found their rhythm, there was no turning back.
The breakthrough came from a familiar source. Declan Rice’s perfectly delivered free-kick found Gabriel Magalhaes, who stooped low to head home into the bottom corner. The goal lifted the Emirates crowd, and from that moment, Arsenal never looked back.
Arteta made only two changes from Saturday’s 1–0 Premier League win over Fulham, recalling Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back—a move that paid off handsomely. The young defender’s driving run and clever assist allowed Martinelli to curl in Arsenal’s second goal, his third in as many Champions League appearances.
With confidence soaring, Gyokeres pounced next. His first goal came courtesy of a deflection off David Hancko that wrong-footed Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Moments later, he doubled his tally, reacting quickly to nod home from close range after Gabriel again won the initial header from a Rice corner.
As the match wore on, Arteta rotated his side, substituting Gabriel, Gyokeres, Eze, Jurrien Timber, and Martin Zubimendi, ensuring his key players remain fresh ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
Defensively, Arsenal were once again near perfect, securing yet another clean sheet—having now conceded only three goals in 12 matches across all competitions. The team’s balance, depth, and set-piece prowess underline why many consider them among Europe’s most complete sides this season.
For Atletico Madrid, the defeat was another reminder of their struggles away from home. Diego Simeone’s side has yet to record an away win this season, and Tuesday’s collapse after a competitive start will raise further concerns for the Spanish giants, who now sit on just three points from their opening three group games.
Arsenal, semi-finalists last season, appear even stronger this term following another summer of heavy investment. With Gyokeres finding his form and Arteta’s side firing on all cylinders, the North London club looks well-equipped to chase the one trophy that has eluded them — European glory.
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