Viktor Gyokeres broke his nine-game scoring drought with two goals in three minutes to help Arsenal secure a 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. The win extends Arsenal’s perfect start in the Champions League to three matches. Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli also scored as the Gunners netted four times in less than 15 minutes during the second-half display.
The match was an even contest for nearly an hour, and Atletico Madrid almost took the lead early in the second half when Julián Alvarez’s curled effort struck the crossbar. However, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Gabriel headed in a free kick from Declan Rice. The lead was doubled in the 64th minute after a driving run from teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly set up Gabriel Martinelli for a clinical side-footed finish.
Gyokeres, who signed from Sporting Lisbon this summer, had not scored since September. He found the net in the 67th minute when he dug out a shot that took a deflection off David Hancko. The Sweden striker scored again just three minutes later, bundling the ball over the line after Gabriel headed another Rice set-piece back across the goal.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta expressed his satisfaction for the striker. “I am delighted (for Gyokeres) as he fully deserves it,” Arteta said. “The work rate he brings to the team is outstanding. We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today.”
The victory gives Arsenal nine points in their group, having yet to concede a goal in the competition. “I try to do my best all the time and work hard, contribute with different stuff and the goals would have come sooner or later,” Gyokeres said after the match. Arsenal’s defense has been formidable this season, conceding just three goals in 12 matches across all competitions.
