David Raya – 7
Tempted to mark Raya down slightly due to the error with his feet that nearly cost us the opening goal, as that could have been really costly, but I still think this was a 7 out of 10 performance overall. Swept up well, distribution was good and I think he might actually have saved a shot that was on target at one stage!!!
Best moment:
It wouldn’t have counted but that save from Connor Gallagher late on was absolutely brilliant.
Jurrien Timber – 8
Unbelievably solid again and continued to take up some really interesting positions going forward that Atletico had trouble tracking. Didn’t quite come off for him in an offensive point of view, as he went down a few blind alleys and did a bit too much at times, but still a really strong performance overall.
Best moment:
One nice jinking run where he turned the opposing fullback inside out inside and probably should have had a shot at goal, but he tried to go outside again and was shepherded out for a corner.
William Saliba – 7
Not massively troubled at the back although he handled Julian Alvarez well when he came up against the Argentine. One of many Arsenal players who went to sleep when Alvarez clipped towards goal following David Raya’s error as he could have been back on the line just in case however, it went unpunished, so no harm done.
Best moment:
Some nice defensive play to shut down/crowd out dangerous Atletico attacks.
Gabriel – 8
He’s just a beast. An absolute beast. There was only one outcome when Declan Rice clipped in that lovely free kick with the big Brazilian finishing emphatically to give Arsenal the first goal. Made an excellent block minutes after the opening goal that he celebrated more than scoring the goal itself! Has now added assists from corners to his repertoire with his second in as many games as he knocked the ball across the penalty area for Gyokeres’ second and Arsenal’s fourth on the night! What a night.
Best moment:
So many to choose from, but it has to be the opening goal! Are we watching a club legend in the making?!
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8
Reminded Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Arteta of what he can do. Excellent defensively in the first half, as nothing got down his side, but did struggle at times in the second half, especially as Atletico pushed on following Arsenal’s opening goal. Going forward is where he really lit up the Emirates as his fantastic composure, driving run and pass made the second goal and got the Hale Ender an assist.
Best moment:
I must admit I was worried when he took those extra touches in the centre circle, as he has been caught on the ball a few times already this season, but there is no doubting the young man’s confidence and ability and he showcased both in equal measure to create the second goal with a moment of individual brilliance.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
Kept things ticking over nicely in midfield and got involved in some of the neat interplay around the Atletico Madrid box as well, with the Spaniards sitting very deep at times. Had a hand in the third goal with a lovely ball in the channel for Martinelli. Put himself about and was competitive as always, as Rice and Zubimendi dominated the midfield.
Best moment:
A few nice passes going forward, but one in particular that stands out was a fantastic flick through to Gyokeres, following an equally incredible first touch, led to a great chance from the Swede that Oblak did brilliantly to block.
Declan Rice – 8
Relishes these sorts of nights. Just never stopped running all game and suffocated Atletico Madrid’s midfield almost singlehandedly at times. Moved all over the park when Arsenal were in possession, constantly moving the opposition defence around and helped himself to another assist and a pre-assist from his set pieces.
Best moment:
Lovely corner for the fourth goal, but that free kick for the opener was absolutely crying out to be headed in. Is there a better set piece taker in Europe right now? I’ve not seen one.
Eberechi Eze – 7
Much improved from the weekend performance at Fulham without every really catching fire. Had a few nice jinks and dummies to create space for himself or teammates without ever really opening up the Atletico backline. Nearly scored a fortuitous opener, with his deflected effort coming back off the bar early on. I think he might have got an assist for Gyokeres’ first goal as he prodded in the direction of goal, prior to the Swede forcing the ball home. Worked his socks off again and
Best moment:
I can’t remember the exact moment, but one of his feints sent some poor midfielder to the shops. Does it so effortlessly.
Gabriel Martinelli – 8
A surprise inclusion in some ways as the compact nature of the game generally suits Trossard’s game a bit more than Martinelli’s but he repayed his Manager’s faith and then some. Was always lively and dangerous when on the ball and looked after it well all evening. Put in a tireless defensive shift as well as he tracked back constantly when Atletico countered. Thought he had opened the scoring when he poked home Bukayo Saka’s cross shot, only for the offside flag to signal that he had gone too early. Was not to be denied his moment in the spotlight as he curled home Myles Lewis-Skelly’s brilliant assist with a superb first time curler into the bottom right corner. Has really turned a corner since his early season woes.
Best moment:
Lovely goal to double Arsenal’s lead as he channelled his inner Thierry Henry to curl home.
Viktor Gyokeres – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Doesn’t that feel better, Viktor? Two massive goals on the night, the first of which had a strong hint of own goal about it, but after pausing for a second, Gyokeres put up his ‘Bane-mask’ and decided that he was having it!! It was the least that the big man deserved as he ran the channels tireless and brought others into play on several occasions, while also winning a number of free kicks from the Atletico centre halves. Link-up play continues to improve each game.
Best moment:
He won’t get many scruffier goals for Arsenal than his first tonight (or probably even his second!!) but it felt like a big goal, as he seemed to grow about a foot after the ball hit the back of the net. Big moment.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Another excellent performance. Let his teammates grab some of the headlines tonight but Saka pushed his opposite number back and back all night long. Went close on a number of occasions and just looks sharper and sharper every game. Tore the Spaniards defence apart with his movement, dribbling and passes and although he didn’t register a goal or an assist, his part in this win cannot be understated. Saka was excellent.
Best moment:
Did well to get his shot away for the Martinelli’s disallowed goal, but in truth he had a lot of highlights tonight, in what was a really strong showing.
Subs:
Cristhian Mosquera – 6
Came on to give Gabriel a rest late on and never gave the Atletico attackers a sniff. Such a good player to bring on in games like this.
Ethan Nwaneri – 7 – A nice cameo from Nwaneri as he was clearly playing like a man who has a point to prove. Was probing away late on and you could see he was desperate for a goal but when his chance finally did come, he put his curler a bit too close to Jan Oblak. Also made an important intervention on the goal line at the other end from a deflected cross with Raya in no man’s land.
Christian Norgaard – 6 – Kept things ticking over after replacing Zubimendi.
Mikel Merino – 6 – Introduced late on upfront to give Gyokeres’ a breather. Some nice touches in that almost opened up chances for teammates but no fireworks this time around. Put himself about as usual.
Ben White – 5 – On late for Jurrien Timber and barely touched the ball however, he did look to get in behind on one occasion from an excellent pass from Saka, as the two struck up their telepathic-like connection almost immediately after White’s introduction.