Arsenal rubber stamped their place in the next round of the Champions League with another impressive showing on the continent, dispatching Italian league leaders and last season’s beating Finalists, Inter Milan 3-1 in their own back yard, having made 7 changes from the weekend to boot. Arsenal have now won 7 from 7 Champions League games and have the chance to be the first team to win all 8 when they play Kairat at home next week.
Arsenal started this game as well as they’ve started any game this season for me and were pressing Inter really high early doors and having about 3 or 4 shots in the opening 5 minutes, albeit most of them blocked, but the intent was there. That pressure told soon after when Gabriel Jesus flicked home with a scuffed Jurrien Timber shot to make it 1-0 and it probably should have been more soon after.
Unfortunately we were pegged back inside the next 10 minutes with Peter Sucic blasting home an equaliser from the edge of the penalty area after Arsenal had failed to clear. It wasn’t the best goal from a defensive point of view and it had been coming as Inter grew into the game in the preceding 5 minutes or so.
Arsenal then lent into one of their old favourites with another goal from a set piece. Bukayo Saka’s deep corner found Leandro Trossard who headed against the bar with the ball falling kindly for Gabriel Jesus to head home from a yard out.
Into the second half and Arsenal still looked threatening but the game was far too open and Inter had a couple of really decent openings on the break that they thankfully didn’t take advantage of, as Arsenal lived dangerously.
Inter huffed and puffed but as the game went on, you felt that Arsenal would have chances on the break as Inter pushed forward and so it proved. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli played a delicious through ball for fellow sub Viktor Gyokeres to chase and after the Swede’s attempted pass to Bukayo Saka rebounded nicely into his path, the big striker put the game to bed with a powerful right footed shot that Yann Sommer could only help into the net.
Arsenal saw out the remaining minutes to seal an impressive victory as attention now turns to the game against Manchester United at The Emirates. Here’s how I rated the players tonight:
David Raya – 7
No chance with the goal and made a few decent saves throughout the night, especially from Federic Dimarco. Passing was good, claimed crosses well. Just a generally solid performance from David Raya.
Jurrien Timber – 7
Looked much more at home at right back. Picked up a rather fortunate assist for the first goal, but he was a threat all evening in fairness so I think he probably deserved it. Imperious defensively as usual, as nothing got down his side.
William Saliba – 8
Another really strong showing from Saliba. Marshalled Marcus Thuram well throughout, winning the vast majority of his duels and often just nicking the ball ahead of his fellow countryman. Lost the ball the odd time when playing out from the back, although he quickly recovered on both occasions. Was brave on the ball though and that’s a feature in his game that’s just coming on with every game. Some lovely forwarded passes and got on the overlap on one occasion as he attempted to force the issue a bit.
Cristhian Mosquera – 7
So good to have him back. Far from a perfect performance, but my days what a first game back he was thrown into!! Had to deal with one of the elite strikers in European football in Lautaro Martinez on his first game back from injury and he generally did very well. A few excellent last ditch tackles as Arsenal left Saliba and Mosquera to deal with Inter’s two strikers by themselves at times, including one in vain in the build up to Inter’s equaliser. Was then tasked with shackling the impressive young striker Sebastiano Esposito, who looked a real handful. Despite his struggles at times, I think this was a largely impressive return for the Spaniard.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Much, much better from Lewis-Skelly. Quite safe in possession, but I think that’s sensible given the occasion and also the condition of the pitch as it seemed really dry and slow, which seemed a bit deliberate to me! Defensively he wasn’t tested as much in previous encounters although I can still see an improvement in this side of his game from more recent outings. Hopefully this performance can be a real shot in the arm and act as a launchpad for the rest of the season for Lewis-Skelly.
Martin Zubimendi – 7
So bright on the ball, especially in the early stages where he really helped Arsenal pin Inter back. Left Saliba and Gabriel at bit exposed at times but it happened so often you’d have to assume that it was tactical rather than poor positional play from the Spaniard. Some lovely intricate play with Saka and Merino to keep the Inter players chasing shadows, but maybe could have done a bit better with their goal.
Mikel Merino – 8
Another strong European performance from Merino. Snapped into tackles, won countless headers and generally just seemed to be everywhere in that midfield. Some nice build up play and quick passing to quicken Arsenal attacks with his excellent decision making and timing. Feels like we need to find a place for him in this Arsenal team…but where?!
Eberechi Eze – 6
Didn’t quite come off for him tonight and he seemed really frustrated when he came off. A few nearly moments, one left footed shot in particular where he couldn’t quite get enough purchase on it to fire past Sommer, but this was by no means a bad performance. Some lovely intricate play on the edge of the Inter penalty area at times, where you feel he’s only a split second away from producing a bit of magic. Didn’t quite come off from him today. Corners were poor though.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Another game without a Saka goal, but his all round play was excellent again. His corner played a big part in the second goal, he beat his man inside, then outside, then inside again and put in some superb crosses that deserved someone on the end of them. Feels like the lack of goals is weighing on him a bit. Created a nice chance for himself in the second half coming onto his strong left foot in a position where we’ve seen him score multiple times and although it looked close, he put it well wide in the end. Top class all round performance though.
Gabriel Jesus – 9 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
I don’t through out 9s very often and I’ve not been overly convinced by Jesus this season, but this was a really, really good performance. Scored two poacher’s goals with instinctive finishes but it was Jesus’ all round play that really caught the eye. Chased lost causes, took the ball down well under real pressure several times, dropped deep, drifted wide and was just generally a nightmare for the Inter Milan defence, who didn’t know what to do with him. His work rate was back tonight as well and that’s what probably pushed it from an 8 to a 9. Worked his socks off and helped keep the pressure on that Inter defence. Does he start on Sunday?!
Leandro Trossard – 6
Quiet performance from the Belgian. Just seemed to take one or two extra touches when in promising attacking positions, which led to Arsenal attacks fizzling out. Played a big part in the second goal though, so gets an extra mark for that. Work rate was also excellent throughout as he made sure Lewis-Skelly had cover against the dangerous Luis Henrique.
Subs:
Declan Rice – 6 – Was really positive as soon as he came on and drove through the midfield to superb affect, which created a few dangerous openings. Just the perfect player to bring on when play in this sort of game state.
Ben White – 6 – Slotted in nicely to give Jurrien Timber a bit of a rest.
Gabriel – 6 – I thought Mosquera was doing pretty well against the lively Esposito. Until Gabriel came on and then we didn’t hear anything further out of the young Italian striker. Oozes calm and confidence.
Viktor Gyokeres – 7 – Brilliant cameo from the bench, to keep him in Mikel Arteta’s thoughts for the weekend. Seem to relish the wide spaces that Inter had left in behind and he even held the ball up a lot better tonight, with Inter defenders at his back. Some nice layoffs, drew a few fouls and added our third with an excellent finish after his run had created the chance in the first place. Much more like it!
Gabriel Martinelli – 7 – Was only on for about 10 minutes, but Martinelli is another player who sent a little reminder to Arteta ahead of Sunday’s crunch encounter. Was always positive with the ball, kept it well, some lovely dribbles and then an unreal pass that Martin Odegaard would have been proud of to set Gyokeres away in the build up to the 3rd goal. Excellent cameo.
Final note – What a squad we have on our hands. My word! Rotating 7 players and then beating Inter in the San Siro…what on earth are we watching right now?!?! Keep it up!!