Three things we learned from Arsenal statement win as Gunners put rest of Europe on notice | OneFootball

Viktor Gyokeres adds to a perfect night as summer signing gets on the scoresheet again

Arsenal destroyed Atletico Madrid with a ruthless second half showing at the Emirates Stadium

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Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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The Gunners ran out 4-0 winners against the Spanish side to maintain their perfect start to this season’s Champions League.

Gabriel opened the scoring early in the second-half and Arsenal ran riot from that point onwards.

Gabriel Martinelli added a second, before Gyokeres scored a brace to end his wait for a goal.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

Arsenal make a statement

Diego Simeone will have wanted a cold shower, and perhaps a dark room to lie down in, after this second-half.

There is no other word for it, Arsenal bullied Atletico and this was a performance that will have made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.

The Gunners have their eyes on ending their 21-year wait to win the Premier League - but, on the evidence of this, there is no reason they cannot have a tilt at the Champions League, too.

Big win: Arsenal

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After controlling the first-half, Mikel Arteta’s side went through the gears after the break and blew Atletico away.

In the space of 13 minutes, they scored four times and it was a ruthless demonstration of how destructive Arsenal can be when everything clicks.

Not for the first time, a set-piece goal broke the deadlock, but from there the floodgates opened and Atletico had no answer to the onslaught.

Gyokeres ends his drought

The reaction to Gyokeres’ first goal said it all.

The Swede swiftly did his signature celebration, but within moments he was being mobbed by his team-mates.

The delight among them that Gyokeres had ended his drought was clear to see and it was not long after that when he helped himself to a second.

It has been a difficult period for the striker, who has gone nine games for club and country without finding the net.

In that time, Arteta and several Arsenal players have publicly backed him, while also talking up what the 27-year-old offers off the ball.

Relief: Viktor Gyokeres

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That was evident against Atletico. The Swede’s goals will get the headlines, but his all-round game was excellent, too.

Gyokeres linked the play well and gave Arsenal a focal point, and his goals were no more than he deserved.

The confidence was noticeably flowing after he scored and he will hope this is a turning point.

Set-piece, again

There was a party atmosphere in the stands at Emirates Stadium - and you could hardly blame the Arsenal fans.

Even the most optimistic supporter turning up could not have predicted a night like this.

Among the songs were chants of “set-piece again, ole, ole”, with Arsenal fans revelling in their side’s, quite frankly, ridiculous prowess from dead-ball situations.

The value of set-pieces was on show again, here, as Gabriel’s goal was the one that broke the deadlock.

It was made by a brilliant free-kick from Declan Rice, whose ball striking right now is reminiscent of that of David Beckham.

The deliveries are full of whip and speed, to the extent that they are almost unstoppable at times.

Atletico could do nothing to stop Gabriel’s bullet header and nor where they able to halt him teeing up Gyokeres for Arsenal’s fourth from a Rice corner.