Arsenal player ratings vs Atletico Madrid - Gyokeres unleashed, Martinelli stars in three 9/10s

Arsenal romped to a big home win and embarrassed Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone, leaving all theories of the pair negating one another firmly at the door. It could be a moment in Arsenal’s season that unlocks something different, particular for their number fourteen.

Eberechi Eze saw an early deflected shot toward the edge of the box drop down onto the crossbar. Guiliano Simeone then should have punished a rare mistake from David Raya, caught far outside his box but failed to.

Gabriel Martinelli then had a goal ruled out for offside after some great work from Bukayo Saka. His compatriot Gabriel Magalhaes would then give the Gunners the lead after heading in a Declan Rice free-kick won by the winger.

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Martinelli then avenged his earlier miss, finishing with poise after a run from Myles Lewis-Skelly. Viktor Gyokeres added a third and soon after a fourth which will be a huge boost to him even if they were simple poachers’ finishes.

Here is how football.london rated the performances of the Arsenal players:

David Raya – Was caught far outside his box, taking risky decisions that should have been, but thankfully were not, punished by Guiliano Simeone. Redeemed himself with a great anticipated clearance after an Atletico counter looked on. 6

Jurrien Timber – Tried a few slipped balls through the lines, but couldn’t quite find the accuracy inside the opening ten minutes. Tame shot at Oblak with his weaker foot that was easily collected but overall another strong game. 7

William Saliba – Dealt with a run from Alexander Sorloth excellently by jockeying out of play. Perfect returned header to Gyokeres for the Swede’s second on the night. 7

Gabriel Magalhaes – Great block to prevent Julian Alvarez from making space for himself to get a shot off in the middle of the park. His goal was a perfectly guided header past Jan Oblak. 8

Myles Lewis-Skelly – Saw an attempt dragged wide in the first half. Arguably a little lucky not to give away a penalty at the start of the second half, just doing enough to tap the ball away.

Brilliant run from the defender which would then set up Martinelli for the second on the night. 8

Martin Zubimendi – Produced a great cross for Gabriel Martinelli, which should have been dealt with better. Was booked for a light challenge and will be suspended for the trip to Slavia Praha.

Gorgeous flick ball in behind in the box for Gyokeres, which nearly provided the opener. Then sent in the pass to find Martinelli whose cross eventually found the Swede. 9

Declan Rice – Followed up Eze’s shot, which struck the bar with a bouncing volley that should have hit the target. Perfect delivery from the free-kick to find Gabriel in the box. 7

Eberechi Eze – So unlucky early in the game as his shot is deflected onto the Atletico crossbar after a strike from outside the box. Great pass through the lines to nearly set up Saka one-on-one. 7

Bukayo Saka – Had the beating of his opponents throughout and provided some excellent passes to teammates, including Martinelli, who should have been onside when the ball came in. Strong game from the winger all around as he watched his teammates dominate. 8

Viktor Gyokeres – Lacked much in the way of threatening service in the first half. Nearly got on the end of Zubimendi’s beautiful flick through, but Oblak saved. Broke his goal drought with a couple of poachers’ finishes, which he will take with open arms and his work rate throughout the game was excellent, his best performance so far. 9

Gabriel Martinelli – Thought he had given the Gunners the lead in the 37th minute, but was standing about a yard offside as Saka’s drive across the box came in. Headed over from close range too before the half-time whistle.

Brilliant work to win the free-kick, which would lead to the Arsenal opener. Then he would score himself, a great curling shot, and then crossed minutes later leading to Gyokeres’ finish. 9

Substitutes:

Cristhian Mosquera – Replaced the goal-scorer Gabriel. Did not look bothered by the attacking quality he had left to face. 6

Christian Norgaard – Replaced Zubimendi to get some important minutes. Solid and looked calm on the ball. 6

Ethan Nwaneri – Replaced Eberechi Eze and played in the ten. Cleared a cross off the line late on. 6

Ben White – Came on too late to have an impact. n/a

Mikel Merino – Came on too late to have an impact. n/a