Viktor Gyokeres don finally open him Champions League goal account for Arsenal as the Gunners use second-half firepower take disgrace Atletico Madrid 4-0 for Emirates Stadium. The North London boys show real class for attack, turning tight first half into pure domination after the break.
Arsenal start well from kickoff but no too get clear chances. Gabriel Martinelli even score one wey dem later cancel for offside. Atletico sef nearly punish Arsenal when David Raya nearly gift Julian Alvarez open net, but the angle no favor am and the ball pass post small.
After plenty build-up wey no deliver goal, Arsenal finally break the deadlock from set piece — something wey don become dem trademark. Declan Rice whip in one sweet free kick, and Gabriel Magalhaes rise higher than everybody nod am enter net early for second half. That goal open floodgate as Gyokeres and Martinelli join the party to finish Atletico proper.
Before 70 minutes, scoreline don turn 4-0. Gyokeres score two, Martinelli one, and Gabriel the opener. Mikel Arteta men no show mercy, while Diego Simeone boys just dey chase shadow. Arsenal now climb go third for the 36-team table behind Inter Milan and Barcelona. Atletico meanwhile dey middle — 18th position, nothing to write home about.
TPB Verdict
Na real “game of two halves” this one. People bin expect say Arteta vs Simeone go be defense vs defense, but Arsenal show say dem fit attack pass wetin anybody expect. Atletico don dey score plenty lately — remember dem 5-3 against Real Madrid and another 5-2 vs Frankfurt — but for London, e no work.
Julian Alvarez fit don change the story if him early chance enter, but once Arsenal score, e just be like flood burst. Set piece deliver again, but this time Arsenal also show say dem sabi open play football. Gyokeres first two goals for Champions League come as perfect timing — not beautiful finishes, but important ones. Gunners fans no send style; na result matter. The way dem dismantle Simeone team go make other clubs for Europe reason well before facing Arsenal.
Arsenal vs Atletico Highlights
25th minute – Julian Alvarez miss (Arsenal 0-0 Atletico): Raya nearly cost Arsenal early when him try protect the ball from going out, but Giuliano Simeone press am hard and force throw-in. Atletico restart quick, Alvarez try lob from range into empty post, but the ball just pass corner small.
57th minute – Gabriel Magalhaes goal (Arsenal 1-0 Atletico): Like say we no see am coming! Declan Rice deliver one deadly free kick, Gabriel sneak behind defenders and nod am past Oblak wey only touch am small before e enter net. 1-0 and Emirates scatter.
64th minute – Gabriel Martinelli goal (Arsenal 2-0 Atletico): This time no be set piece. Youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly run through midfield like jet, give Martinelli perfect pass, and the Brazilian finish am first-time, ball kiss far post before e enter. Clean work.
67th minute – Viktor Gyokeres goal (Arsenal 3-0 Atletico): Arsenal no gree stop. Martinelli cross reach Eberechi Eze wey misfire, but Gyokeres hustle am for box, the shot deflect hit Hancko and trickle enter net. Na lucky goal but e count!
70th minute – Viktor Gyokeres goal (Arsenal 4-0 Atletico): London buses matter — you wait long, two come at once. Another set piece, another goal. Rice send fine corner to far post, Gabriel nod am back inside and Gyokeres just redirect am with him hip enter net. Proper poacher finish.
Man of the Match – Gabriel Magalhaes
Even though UEFA give official award to Gyokeres, Gabriel deserve man of the match pass. Him goal start everything, and later him run create one of Gyokeres goals.
Defensively too, the Brazilian strong like wall — 90% pass accuracy, three clearances, one big block, and clean sheet intact. Classic centre-back performance.
Arsenal vs Atletico Match Stats
Possession: Arsenal 51% – 49% Atletico
Shots: Arsenal 19 – 11 Atletico
Shots on Target: Arsenal 8 – 1 Atletico
Corners: Arsenal 3 – 4 Atletico
Fouls: Arsenal 14 – 10 Atletico
Best Stats
– Arsenal don score eight goals from set pieces for Champions League this season, highest among all clubs.
– Gyokeres na the first Swedish player wey go score brace for Arsenal in European competition.
– Atletico no get shot on target after 25th minute — complete shutdown from Arsenal defense.
– Gabriel Magalhaes don now score more Champions League goals than any Arsenal defender since Koscielny in 2015.
What Next?
Arsenal next Champions League fixture na away to Slavia Prague on November 4. But before then, dem go face Crystal Palace for Premier League London derby this Sunday. Arteta go wan keep momentum strong for both competitions.
As for Atletico Madrid, Simeone and him boys go try bounce back when dem face Real Betis for Monday’s La Liga match. Dem next European match go be home tie against Union Saint-Gilloise early next month.
Final Yarn
Arsenal show power, confidence and class for this 4-0 demolition. From Rice to Gabriel, from Martinelli to Gyokeres — everybody play him part. Atletico no fit match the energy at all. This na one of those nights wey go make Europe begin respect Arsenal again.
This page go dey updated with fresh gist and post-match reactions as e dey happen. E dey LIVE, so check back regular for more Pidgin updates from The Pidgin Blog (TPB) corner!
