Arsenal produced a breathtaking second-half performance to blow away Atlético Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium, marking their 100th UEFA Champions League (UCL) victory in emphatic fashion. The result extended their perfect start to the campaign and underlined their growing reputation as one of Europe’s most in-form teams, Softfootball reports.
Coming into the clash on the back of a 2-0 win over Olympiacos in their last UCL outing, Arsenal began with purpose and confidence. Sitting top of the Premier League and unbeaten in Europe, Mikel Arteta’s men nearly took an early lead when Declan Rice lashed over from close range after Eberechi Eze’s effort crashed off the post. Myles Lewis-Skelly also came close, while David Raya had a nervy moment when caught off his line, though Giuliano Simeone failed to capitalise.
The Gunners kept pushing and thought they’d taken the lead when Gabriel Martinelli slotted home from a Bukayo Saka assist, only for the flag to go up for offside. Atlético reminded Arsenal of their threat when Julián Álvarez rattled the bar from distance, but the breakthrough finally came from a familiar source a Rice free-kick whipped into the box and clinically headed home by Gabriel Magalhães.
Atlético briefly threatened an equaliser through Dávid Hancko, but Arsenal immediately turned on the style. A brilliant run and assist from Lewis-Skelly set up Martinelli to unleash an unstoppable strike past Jan Oblak for 2-0. The floodgates then opened Viktor Gyökeres made it three with a deflected effort off Hancko before adding a fourth moments later, bundling home from close range after Gabriel’s header across goal.
By then, the Emirates crowd were in full voice, chanting “Olé” as the Gunners toyed with their Spanish visitors. The win not only ensured a fourth consecutive clean sheet in Europe, but also extended Arsenal’s run to seven straight wins against Spanish sides.
Arteta’s men are having the perfect start to the season, conceding only three goals in their last 12 matches, the most recent coming in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad. Their balance, discipline, and intensity have made them one of Europe’s most complete teams.
After the game, Arsenal via their official X handle, confirmed Striker Viktot Gyokeres won the player of the match award after scoring a fantastic brace on the night. They posted;
The result perfectly sums up Arsenal’s evolution under Arteta, a team that blends discipline with flair, ruthlessness with control. Every player looks locked in, every system firing. From back to front, the Gunners are playing like a side that truly believes this could be their season both in England and on the grand European stage.
