LONDON — While the Gunners are still in pursuit of a significant triumph to solidify their Premier League title aspirations, their quest for a similar achievement in the UEFA Champions League has reached a successful conclusion.
For approximately 60 minutes on Tuesday evening, Atlético Madrid’s encounter at Emirates Stadium mirrored the intense, challenging battle anticipated by many. Subsequently, an abrupt shift occurred: The fortress that Atlético’s manager, Diego Simeone, had meticulously constructed over nearly 14 years crumbled as the Gunners scored four times within a 14-minute span, resulting in a 4-0 victory. The expanded structure of this group stage diminishes the perceived significance of early outcomes, but the impact on Arsenal’s youthful squad, aiming to finally translate years of progress into silverware, could be considerable.
Simeone’s squad suffered a 4-0 defeat to Benfica in the previous season but rarely encounters such a commanding second-half dismantling. “We performed admirably until Arsenal’s initial goal,” he stated afterward. “Following that, our defense could have been more robust. They executed well and capitalized on their opportunities. Set pieces are undeniably crucial in football and can prove decisive in this competition, influencing whether you gain control of the game.”
“It’s not attributable to misfortune but rather to errors. They capitalized on our errors, seized their opportunities, and converted their significant chances into goals.”
Arsenal’s proficiency in set-piece situations is widely acknowledged. While the Premier League has struggled to counter this — Arsenal’s 37 goals from corner kicks since the commencement of the 2023-24 season surpass any other team by 16 — it was assumed that Simeone, the foremost defensive strategist in the sport, would have devised a solution.
For a considerable period, that appeared to be the case. The strategy was straightforward, albeit exceedingly challenging to implement: Prevent them from gaining an opportunity. Arsenal secured only one corner kick in the initial 45 minutes. Declan Rice’s 57th-minute free kick, which Gabriel Magalhães converted with a header, marked Arsenal’s first opportunity from a set piece that entire evening, according to Opta’s data.
The goal unleashed a torrent of scoring. Gabriel Martinelli scored a remarkable second goal seven minutes later, followed by two goals from Viktor Gyökeres, ending a 601-minute goal drought at the club level, propelling Arsenal to a scoreline that will capture attention across Europe. These four goals served as a bracing awakening, a stark contrast to the minor inconvenience Atlético experienced the preceding day when the hot water supply was temporarily disrupted following their training session at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s summer investment prompted many to believe they now possess one of Europe’s premier squads. However, while diligently climbing to the top of the table in England, their performances had not fully justified this acclaim. This match will serve as a future benchmark, a night when several of the new acquisitions appeared more integrated. Martín Zubimendi commanded the midfield with assurance. Gyökeres secured the goals that his manager, Mikel Arteta, believed his performance merited, despite the first goal’s significant deflection off Dávid Hancko and the second’s straightforward close-range finish off his thigh.
“He was deserving of it because everything that we were observing regarding his contribution to the team and the extent to which he was aiding the team in numerous facets, beyond goal-scoring in recent weeks, was undeniable,” Arteta stated. “It was about preserving his self-belief, that emotional equilibrium enabling him to relish and participate without constraint.”
“I believe we’ve attained greater unpredictability. He’s remarkably physical, approachable, and open. His approach to pressing and retaining possession is extraordinary. Then there’s the added advantage, the primary topic of discussion surrounding him: goals. He scored two distinct goals today, and we anticipate he’ll sustain momentum and embark on a productive scoring streak.”
Bukayo Saka expressed last season his aspiration to ultimately win the Ballon d’Or and attain recognition as one of the world’s preeminent wingers. His comprehensive performance here substantiated that claim; he posed a constant threat down the right flank, but equally significant to Arteta was Saka’s off-ball endeavors. Martinelli demonstrated similar dynamism in this regard: His eight ball recoveries surpassed any other player on either team by three.
Nothing is definitive in October, but the mantle of Europe’s most resolute defensive coach may be transitioning from Simeone to Arteta. Arsenal has conceded only one shot on target in their last three matches. Furthermore, they have conceded a mere three goals in all competitions, positioning them to potentially shatter multiple records. This tally represents the fewest goals Arsenal has conceded in their initial 12 matches throughout their 138-year existence.
Naturally, they have eclipsed various club records under Arteta previously, only to ultimately fall short. The paramount objective this time is to achieve the ultimate success. Nights such as this suggest they may be better equipped than ever before to accomplish that goal.
