Viktor Gyokeres rediscovered his lethal form in front of goal as he netted twice in Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The result marked a resounding statement from Mikel Arteta’s men, who outclassed their Spanish opponents in every department to continue their impressive European run this season. Arsenal displayed a perfect blend of tactical discipline, attacking fluidity, and defensive solidity, showing once again why they are among the tournament’s most in-form teams.
Early dominance and set-piece mastery
The Gunners set the tone early on, asserting control from the first whistle. Their breakthrough came from a trademark set-piece routine, with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes rising highest to nod home from a well-delivered corner kick. The Emirates erupted as Arsenal continued to press relentlessly.
Minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli capitalized on a defensive lapse from Atletico’s backline, coolly slotting home to double the advantage. The visitors, known for their defensive rigidity under Diego Simeone, struggled to cope with Arsenal’s relentless tempo and creativity.
Gyokeres finds his scoring touch again
After enduring a frustrating six-match goal drought, Viktor Gyokeres finally returned to the scoresheet in emphatic fashion. His first goal came after a well-timed run and clinical finish following a precise through ball from Martin Ødegaard. His second—a thunderous strike from the edge of the box—put the result beyond doubt and reignited his confidence heading into the next round of fixtures.
The Swedish striker’s brace was met with loud cheers from the home fans, who have been eagerly waiting for him to rediscover his early-season scoring form. His all-round play—linking up, pressing, and creating space—was equally impressive, earning him a standing ovation when he was substituted late in the game.
Arteta’s tactical brilliance
Manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his team’s focus and intensity after the final whistle. Arsenal’s ability to balance attacking intent with defensive organization was evident, as they limited Atletico to only a handful of half-chances throughout the 90 minutes.
The Gunners’ midfield trio—led by Declan Rice—controlled proceedings with composure, while Bukayo Saka and Martinelli constantly stretched Atletico’s backline with their pace and trickery.
Elsewhere in the Champions League
It was a thrilling night of European football across the continent. Manchester City cruised past Villarreal 2-0, with Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva both finding the net. Newcastle United continued their fine form by defeating Benfica 3-0, thanks to a brace from Harvey Barnes and a goal from Alexander Isak.
Over in Spain, Barcelona demolished Olympiacos 6-1, with Marcus Rashford starring with a stunning double, while PSG and PSV Eindhoven both recorded emphatic wins, scoring six and seven goals respectively to light up a high-scoring Champions League night.
With this commanding win, Arsenal have firmly established themselves as one of the teams to beat this season, sending a strong message to Europe’s elite that their hunt for continental glory is well and truly alive.