- …set Champions League record with 7th straight win over Spanish teams
By Frank Ulom
LONDON (CONVERSEER) – Arsenal delivered a masterclass performance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, dismantling Atletico Madrid 4–0 in a Champions League encounter that reverberated across Europe. The emphatic victory not only reaffirmed Mikel Arteta’s men as genuine contenders for Europe’s top honour but also etched their name into the competition’s history books.
The triumph marked Arsenal’s seventh consecutive victory over Spanish opposition in the Champions League — a feat no other club has ever achieved. Spain’s dominance in Europe’s elite competition has long been undisputed, making the Gunners’ streak a remarkable statement of their resurgence under Arteta.
Their historic run includes last month’s 3–1 win over Athletic Club on matchday one, home and away victories over 15-time champions Real Madrid in last season’s quarter-finals, as well as earlier triumphs against Girona and Sevilla during the 2023–24 campaign. Arsenal’s last defeat to a Spanish side in the competition dates back to 2016, when Barcelona eliminated them in the Round of 16.
Arteta Hails Team’s Dominant Display
Speaking after the match, Arteta lauded his side’s all-round performance and praised their composure in a challenging fixture.
“It was a tough match. After the first goal, Atletico opened up a bit, and it was easier for us to find spaces,” he told Amazon Prime Video. “Very happy with the result. At this level in the Champions League, you really need to step up, and we certainly did that in every phase of play.”
The manager was also full of praise for Viktor Gyokeres, the summer signing who silenced critics with a brace on the night after enduring a month-long goal drought.
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“He fully deserved it,” Arteta said. “The work rate he brings to the team is outstanding. We value a lot of what he does, and it was the biggest smile on his face today. Hopefully, this is the start of some beautiful sequences.”
Gyokeres Ends Drought in Style
Gyokeres’ brace underscored a growing adaptation to life in North London following his big-money summer move. Having never featured in any of Europe’s top five leagues before this season, the Swedish striker faced scrutiny over his readiness for Arsenal’s high expectations.
Speaking to UEFA post-match, Gyokeres expressed satisfaction with both the result and his own contribution. “I am very pleased. Atletico had some good opportunities, but I think we controlled it overall,” he said. “To score four and keep a clean sheet again is very good. We always keep going, doing things right when we defend, and when we get the chances, we’re extremely strong in taking those.”
He added, “Both goals were great. I try to do my best all the time and work hard. The goals would have come sooner or later. We want to do well, we want to win football matches, but there’s a long journey to go.”
Looking Ahead
With the win, Arsenal maintain a perfect record in the current Champions League campaign and remain top of their league phase group. Their next European fixtures will see them face Slavia Prague, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Inter Milan, and Kairat Almaty.
Although they will not meet another Spanish opponent in this phase, Arteta’s men will be eyeing the knockout rounds for a potential opportunity to extend their unprecedented streak to eight straight wins against La Liga sides.
