CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 

ARSENAL 4 (Gabriel ?, Martinelli 64, Gyokeres 67, 70)

ATLETICO 0 

THERE was a mesmerising light show set to thumping drum and bass before the traditional pre-match Champions League anthem, a little jaded as that has become.

But the game day event producers needn’t add any hype at the Emirates Arsenal right now.

The atmosphere is banging: a weird mixture of rowdy misbehaving and bullish confidence.

You could make a strong case for the Gunners being the best side – almost certainly squad – in the world right now.

David Raya’s awareness and reflexes, that mega strong back line – as good at the back as they are up for corners – the calming precision of Martin Zubimendi’s passing, the Beckham-besting set pieces of Declan Rice, the serenity of Bukayo Saka.

This is a tough, hyper-organised team that would be soul destroying to play against for ten minutes let along 90.

Although it is early on in the season, there is almost an expectation among fans that major trophy glory is coming in May.

The famously solid and strong Atletico Madrid were well beaten at their own game.

Long way home… Simeone’s side leave Swiss Cottage Marriott on Wednesday morning

They buckled in the second half under a relentless pressure from attackers Eberechi Eze, Gabi Martinelli and Saka.

It feels almost sacrilege to suggest it, but are the Gunners better without captain Martin Odegaard?

Eze might not have the same silky touch and Bergkamp style vision, but he seems to bring a bit more of a direct approach.

Martinelli – who fans were calling to be sold this summer – netted for the third time in three Champions League games.

Saka was on top form – at times just fast-walking past left back Hancko with such ease it was almost embarrassing.

He also sat in slightly different off-centre role from the right wing, leaving the full back in space when Atletico’s keeper Oblak was playing the ball out.

It was one of those small tactical tweaks that didn’t make immediate sense, but was clearly just another example of the manager’s close attention to detail.

Viktor Gyokeres put in a massive shift pressing down the defenders and showed some strong hold up play.

He fully deserved his brace of bumbled goals – neither will make clips for a youtube showreel.

They were just rewards for a bustling performance against Atletico’s strong back line.

Arsenal: Raya, Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel (Mosquera 72), Saliba, Timber (White 82), Rice, Zubimendi (Nørgaard 73), Eze (Nwaneri 73), Martinelli, Gyökeres (Merino 83), Saka
Subs not used: Kepa, Calafiori, Hincapié, Setford, Trossard

Atletico: Oblak, Hancko, Giménez (Baena 63), Normand, Llorente, González (Ruggeri 63), Koke (Gallagher 63), Barrios, Simeone (Griezmann 72), Sørloth (Almada 72), Alvarez
Subs not used: Almada, Gallagher, Galán, Lenglet, Martín, Molina, Musso, Pubill, Raspadori, Ruggeri