Awesome against Atletico

Arsenal have been in brilliant form as of late. Winning games, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. But, only enough goals to win the game, not enough to encapsulate the level of domination we inflict on our opponents. The Champions League has seen our form marry up with what we've produced in the Premier League. Athletic Bilbao were kept at arms length as we beat them 2-0 and then our old nemesis Olympiacos were seen off with a 2-0. Atletico Madrid are by far our toughest opponents yet, but they came to an Emirates stadium, that had no hot water, and is a fortress for us. Spanish teams have struggled against us in recent times, so another Spanish scalp was on the agenda.

Arsenal started brightly and attacked Atletico from the off. A flurry of attempts in the opening 20 minutes established the style of game that we were in for. Diego Simeone was as animated on the side line as his players were on the pitch, any chance to catch a breather, by throwing themselves to the ground, fooled the referee on numerous occasions. This created a stop/start game that suited Atletico. Declan Rice had the best of the chances in the opening 20 minutes, but he blazed his shot over the bar from close range. Bukayo Saka almost dinked one past Jan Oblak, but was denied by the keepers' shoulder. The next 25 minutes was a bit of dogfight in the midfield with neither side able to create much. David Raya was spared embarrassment as he watched Julian Alvarez's shot curl wide of the post after the Spaniard made a mess of a clearance, leading to quick throw in that saw Raya nowhere near his goal. Aside from that, neither side showed much in the way of creativity.

The second half rolled around and Simeone's men actually started the half better than their counterparts. Alvarez rattled a shot against the bar from distance and then David Hancko saw a header flash wide. Viktor Gyokeres retaliated with his own chance after being put through by Martin Zubimendi. Again, it was the considerable frame of Oblak that kept out the effort. But, not long after, Gabriel was on hand to head home for Arsenal following a Declan Rice free kick. Another set piece, but Arsenal didn't care as the deadlock was broken in their favour. A storm hit Atletico as in the next 15/20 minutes, Arsenal put a further three past them. Myles Lewis-Skelly maurauded through the midfield, slaloming between Atletico Madrid players before teeing it up for Gabriel Martinelli to whip his shot beyond Oblak. That was the second of the night, Gyokeres added the next two. The first of which was a loose ball that fell kindly to Gyokeres who squirmed it out of reach of Oblak. The second saw him simply nudge the ball over the line from very close range.

Atletico didn't let the score get them down and they continued to attack the Arsenal goal, but nothing really troubled Raya. In fact his first save in almost three games came in the 77th minute and that was a simple diving catch. The Gunners had a couple of attempts themselves, but the game was done and before long the final whistle blew. Arsenal won 4-0 which moved them into fourth on goal difference. Only five teams remain with a perfect start, but only two teams remain who are yet to concede. Arsenal fall into both categories.

The score was reflected in the overall statistics of the game. Arsenal had 19 shots with 8 on target which generated an xG of 2.19. This also included 6 big chances. Atletico Madrid had 11 attempts, but only one on target which generated an xG of 0.67. They had just one big chance.

Player Ratings:

Raya - 7 - As much as Raya kept another clean sheet, he still only faced a singular shot on target. However, he almost cost Arsenal a goal after trying to be too clever with a clearance.

Timber - 8 - I can never get over how consistent he is as a player. He has an unbelievable way of being one of the most dangerous players in attack, but can also completely lock down any opponent he faces. He kept Atletico's left hand side very quiet.

Saliba - 8 - Going about his business quietly at the moment with his partner in crime taking the headlines. You can't fault him, he was strong in his challenges and put out any fires. Alvarez had a decent game, but Saliba ensured that he didn't have a great game.

Gabriel - 9 - Much like Saliba, he was a rock at the back. You can sum him up as a player with a two minute passage of the game that saw him score and then go straight back down the other end to provide a crucial block. The pair of them are rock solid.

Lewis-Skelly - 8 - The young Englishman has been knocked down the pecking order due Riccardo Calafiori's injury free season to date. However, last night was a reminder why he is so highly rated, but also why Calafiori tends to get a start over him. I think he was frail defensively and got dragged into a petty battle with Giuliano Simeone. He eventually came out on top, but was slow to react to a couple of situations. However, that assist he provided for Martinelli is worthy of a high rating. A glimpse as to what he can offer this team.

Zubimendi - 8 - Him and Timber are two players that I barely have to watch to know they're having a good game. Zubimendi has a way of being everywhere you need him to be, but producing moments of quality that separate him from other players in his role. His pass for Gyokeres' chance early on the in the second half was magical.

Rice - 7 - I felt like he wasn't at the races until the 2nd half when his remarkable engine took over. He gets himself involved, but things weren't quite working out. However, you can always rely on him for a perfect set piece. Grabbed the assist for Gabriel's goal.

Eze - 7 - Atletico Madrid are a completely new form of opponent for Eze and it showed in moments. Having said that, he's ever present and always finding dangerous positions. I think we're more free flowing when he's on the pitch.

Saka - 9 (MOTM) - Continuing on from his form against Fulham, Saka annihilated his direct opponent, Hancko. He was made to look very average as Saka constantly got around him. The first half was the Saka show, but no goals or assists to show for it. It feels like he's playing with more freedom and actually wants to take on his enemy. The goals and assists will come.

Martinelli - 8 - While not as dangerous as Saka, he did score and what a finish it was. That brings his tally upto four goals and assist for the season which makes him one of the highest contributors. He was determined to make an impact all game long and was left berating team mates for misplaced passes right up until the last kick of the game.

Gyokeres - 9 - The dry spell comes to an end and hopefully not to be revisited. Two scrappy goals, but he won't care. Strikers are used to scoring all types of goals and he would be happy to just get something beyond the keeper. Aside from the goals, he worked tirelessly and put in a real shift.

Substitutes:

Mosquera - 8 - Despite not being on for too long, he had big shoes to fill. 20 minutes was still left on the clock and Atletico weren't letting up despite the score. Mosquera was equal to everything that the Madrid players threw at them. Secured us the clean sheet which I'm sure Gabriel will be chuffed with.

Norgaard - 7 - The Danish international had a similar role to play to Mosquera. Zubimendi had done a lot of the hard work and needed someone to come in and keep the level up. Norgaard accomplished that, keeping the Arsenal team ticking over when in possession.

Nwaneri - 7 - We didn't see his attacking potential in this fixture, but we saw more of his defensive tenacity. Provided a goal line clearance and was putting in challenges up and down the pitch. Almost grabbed a goal, but couldn't whip his shot enough.

Merino - 5 - Despite coming on at the same time as White, I'm going to give Merino a rating because I think he was that poor. We weren't in the hunt for goals, but no one would've said no to scoring a fifth or sixth. Merino felt like it was his personal objective to keep it at four. Consistently found in dangerous positions only to take a heavy touch or allow himself to get caught in possession. Not impressed.

White - N/A -

That's my player ratings for this fixture. Up next is Crystal Palace at home which will be a difficult game. Here's my line up for that fixture.

I don't think much will change in terms of a starting line up, Mikel Arteta seems to enjoy rotating between Martinelli and Leandro Trossard so I can see the Belgian back in the team for Palace. As much as we crave rotation, this is another fixture you play your best players in. Rotation can occur with substitutes. I would like to see Piero Hincapie get a run out, but we'll have to see on that one. On to the next!