London–while armory They are still looking for a statement to announce their victory Premier League Title credentials, wait for one uefa champions league The equivalent is finished.
For about an hour on Tuesday night. Atletico MadridThe trip to the Emirates Stadium was a fighting, tough contest that many had already expected. And then, there was an explosion: the house that Atlético coach Diego Simeone had worked so hard to build over nearly 14 years was torn down by four goals in 14 minutes, and the Gunners won. 4-0The extended, bloated format of this group stage reduces the importance of early results on paper, but its impact on Arsenal’s young group ultimately aiming to add trophies in the progression years could be profound.
Simeone’s team was defeated 4-0 benfica Last season, but rarely did he suffer such a defeat in the second half. He later said, “We competed very well until Arsenal’s first goal.” “After that we could have defended better. They performed very well and they got their goals. And of course set pieces are very important in football, and it can be important in this competition, because it depends on good margins in terms of taking control of the game or not.
“And it’s not because of bad luck, but because of mistakes, so they took full advantage of our mistakes, took their chances and converted all their big chances.”
Arsenal’s set-piece ability is common knowledge. While the Premier League has been unable to find an answer to this – Arsenal’s 37 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season are 16 more than anyone else – surely Simeone, the game’s best defensive coach, can do so.
For some time it seemed that this would be the case. And the answer was simple, even if extremely difficult to implement: don’t give them the chance. Arsenal got only one corner in the first 45 minutes. Declan Rice57th minute free kick Gabriel Magalhaes As defined by Opta, it was Arsenal’s first chance from a set piece all night.
The goal opened the floodgates. gabriel martinelli before curling a brace in a spectacular second seven minutes later Victor GyokresWhich ended a 601-minute goal drought at club level, giving Arsenal the kind of scoreline that would shock Europe and take notice. Those four goals were more of a cold bath than the hot water experienced by Atlético the day before was unavailable for a short period of time After their training session at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal’s summer spending spree led many to believe that they now had one of the best teams in Europe. But in reaching the top of the table in England, they had not performed to justify the hype. It will serve as a reference point for the future, a night when some of those new signings felt at home. Martin Zubimendi Patrolled the midfield with authority. Gyöckeres got the goals his manager Mikel Arteta believed his performance required, even if it all came down to a big deflection off the back of the former player. david hanko And the second was an unforgettable close-range finish off his thigh.
“He deserved it because there was no debate on what we were seeing, what he was bringing to the team and how much he was helping the team in many areas apart from scoring goals in the last few weeks,” Arteta said. “It was about maintaining that belief in himself, that emotional state where he could enjoy and play freely.
“I think we’ve become too unpredictable. He’s so physical, open, his face to everybody. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, he’s phenomenal. And then the icing on the cake and the biggest thing we’re going to debate about him is goals. He scored two different goals today, and hopefully he starts getting some pace and good goals.”
bukayo saka Last season he spoke about his desire to one day win the Ballon d’Or and be considered one of the greatest wingers in the world. His all-round performance here was worthy of mention; He was a constant threat down the right wing, but Saka’s work on the ball was equally important for Arteta. Martinelli was equally dynamic in this regard: his eight ball recoveries were three more than any other player on either side.
Nothing has been decided in October, but the baton could pass from Simeone to Arteta as the most defensively resolute coach in Europe. Arsenal have conceded just one shot on target in their last three matches. Furthermore, they have conceded three goals in all competitions, putting them on track to break several records. This number is the lowest number of defeats by Arsenal in their first 12 matches in their 138-year history.
Of course, they have broken many club records before under Arteta, but ultimately came up empty-handed. What matters this time is that they cross the line. Nights like this suggest they may be in a better position than ever to do so.
