ARSENAL ran riot in the second half with Declan Rice and Gabriel the pick of the bunch again.
The Gunners have now scored ten goals from set-pieces as they hit Atletico Madrid for four.
They had to be patient after failing to find the breakthrough despite plenty of first-half pressure.
And after Julian Alvarez struck the bar just after half-time they sprang into life with goals from Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres, who finally ended his drought.
The Gunners dominated the Champions League clash to continue their winning start to the competition.
Here is how Sun Sport’s Jordan Davies rated the Arsenal display.
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DAVID RAYA – 6/10
He has been so used to being a passenger in games recently with Arsenal’s defence so good, but the Spaniard had a few hairy moments here.
A rush of blood way out of his goal should have seen Alvarez fire into an empty net from distance and was nowhere near the Argentine’s curling effort that smacked the bar early in the second half.
Still, another clean sheet…
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8
A shaky showing from the teenager. An early yellow saw him live on the edge for most of the match and threatened to give away a penalty after the break only to pull out of a challenge at the last minute.
I wrote this before his superb charging run from deep through Atletico’s midfield before his deft touch for Martinelli’s finish to make it 2-0. That’s what he is in the team for.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
He let one long ball bounce and was forced to awkwardly hack it away, but other than that the Frenchman was pretty faultless. He doesn’t make headlines, but he doesn’t need to.
GABRIEL – 9
Was given a real test by the livewire that is Alvarez. Had a ball on the halfway line charged down and needed his defensive pal Saliba to sprint back to help bail him out.
But at the other end he was at his imperious best, muscling through a sea of Atletico defenders to head in the opener, and was a rock at the back with a brilliant block to deny Alvarez.
He even got an assist for Gyokeres’ second. What a player he is. How many centre-backs are subbed off after a goal and an assist to a standing ovation?!
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
The Dutchman is getting better and better by the week, and is really thriving in a more advanced role with some brilliant deliveries into the box and nice link-up with Saka.
MARTIN ZUBIMENDI – 8
Dictated beautifully at times from deep and was harshly given a yellow for what seemed a well-timed tackle by the touchline.
But that did not stop him. His lovely chipped ball for Martinelli led to Arsenal’s third.
DECLAN RICE – 8
Blazed over from close range when he should have done better in the first half, but he made up for that with such an inviting free-kick delivery that Gabriel headed in for the opener.
And again from a set-piece, his delicious corner to the back post saw Gabriel head across goal for Gyokeres to touch in.
EBERECHI EZE – 7
Really showed his class and that he belongs on this stage in the first half. Unlucky not to score with a deflected shot that looped onto the bar.
Faded in the second half as others on his side stood up to make the difference.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Another game in the tank after his hamstring injury and he looks back to his very best. Gave Atletico a torrid time down the right-hand side, teeing up for Martinelli but for the offside flag.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Desperate to win back his place on the left from Leandro Trossard, he was energetic and getting stuck in, but should have held his run to avoid being offside to tap in at the back post in the first half.
And then out of nowhere a Thierry Henry-style finish curled into the far corner to start Arsenal’s rout. That will give Arteta something to think about.
VIKTOR GYOKERES – 9
It was a first half full of frustration, despite his endless running, pressing and holding up of the ball with very little chances being made for him.
It was looking like an eighth game without a goal in all competitions for the big Swede, but then two in three minutes changed all that. The smile on his face said it all.
One was a deflected bobbler that trickled into the bottom corner and the other was from about a yard out off his hip, but boy did he need that.
SUBS:
CRISTHIAN MOSQUERA (GABRIEL, 72) – 7
What a talent he is, he just needs to bide his time behind two of the best centre-backs in world football right now, because when he gets his chance he constantly shows he is not fazed by any environment.
Could easily have started against Atletico.
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ETHAN NWANERI (EZE, 72) – 6
A few nice touches and he even cleared a looping cross off the line after it beat Raya.
CHRISTIAN NORGAARD (ZUBIMENDI) – 6
Cannot judge him too much. He is only starting to come back from a knee injury. Some more minutes in his system will be good for him.
MIKEL MERINO (GYOKERES, 82) – N/A
BEN WHITE (TIMBER, 82) – N/A
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