Paul Merson says “excellent” Arsenal star had Atletico Madrid “on toast”

Arsenal scored 4 in simply 14 minutes as Mikel Arteta‘s facet put Atlético Madrid to the sword, extending their 100 per cent file within the Champions League, with summer season signing Viktor Gyokeres additionally ending his objective drought.

Viktor Gyokeres baggage Arsenal brace in 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid

Diego Simeone’s Atlético arrange store proper from the get-go and had been decided to make life very tough for Arsenal on the Emirates Stadium.

Bar a number of promising flashes of play, with each side hitting the crossbar, Atlético thwarted Arteta’s males within the first half. The Gunners largely struggled to create a clear-cut opening, however previous 57 minutes, the floodgates opened for Arsenal.

Gabriel Magalhaes headed residence the primary of Arsenal’s quartet in a scintillating second interval. His compatriot, Gabriel Martinelli, because of some nice work from Myles Lewis-Skelly, then added a second with 64 minutes gone earlier than Gyokeres landed a quickfire double within the 67th and seventieth minutes to go away Simeone’s facet shell-shocked.

Atlético had scored seven objectives of their opening two Champions League matches however not often regarded like threatening Arsenal’s again line as Arteta’s males recorded a 3rd clear sheet in as many video games in Europe and a fourth in a row in all competitions.

Eberechi Eze might’ve acquired himself on the scoresheet too, having watched a strike loop off David Hancko’s ankle and over goalkeeper Jan Oblak, earlier than the summer season signing was denied a primary Champions League objective by the bar.

The headlines will belong to Gyokeres, who ended his seven-game run and not using a objective in all competitions because of some professional poaching inside the world.

The Swede, who’s been criticised for his lack of objective involvement recently, breathed an enormous sigh of reduction after bundling residence his first from shut vary, earlier than feeding off Gabriel’s headed help to attain a second.

The ex-Sporting CP star can now kick on and put his dry spell behind him, however he has severe competitors for the crown of Arsenal’s greatest participant in opposition to Atlético.

Paul Merson praises “excellent” Bukayo Saka in Arsenal win

Alongside Gyokeres, £195,000-per-week winger Bukayo Saka additionally made his mark — significantly within the first 45.

The England worldwide linked effectively with Jurrien Timber down Arsenal’s right-hand facet and proved a continuing menace for David Hancko, Koke and Nico Gonzalez to cope with.

Whereas Saka wasn’t rewarded with a objective or help to indicate for his efforts, the 24-year-old, who’s held talks over a brand new deal at N5, was lavished with reward for his attacking show by membership legend Paul Merson.

Merson was overseeing the Arsenal conflict on Sky Sports activities Information, offering commentary on every of the objectives, and he was thrilled with a pleasant piece of interaction which threatened to show Atlético within the first-half.

Saka was on the coronary heart of it, with Merson calling Saka “excellent” and “by far the most effective participant on the pitch”, including that the Hale Finish sensation had Koke “on toast” [20:28].

As per regular, Saka performed his half massively, and Arteta will probably be thrilled that the participant’s hamstring harm woes are effectively and actually behind him.

The ahead additionally captained Arsenal on an evening to recollect for the north Londoners, who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League final season, solely to be knocked out by eventual winners PSG.

Watching Arsenal sweep apart their European opposition up to now, it is particularly reasonable to counsel they might attain that stage once more, and even go one additional.

Arsenal be a part of PSG and final season’s overwhelmed finalists Inter Milan on 9 factors from the 9 out there, with Arteta significantly on the right track for the knockout rounds.