Arsenal secured a top-two finish in the UEFA Champions League league phase on Tuesday night with an emphatic 3–1 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro, extending their perfect record in the competition to seven wins from seven.
The Gunners made a blistering start and took the lead inside 10 minutes through Gabriel Jesus, who pounced with a clinical poacher’s finish to cap what Arsenal later described as a “stunning start” to the contest.
Inter responded swiftly. Eight minutes later, Petar Sucic restored parity with a spectacular strike, blasting the ball into the top corner to ignite the home crowd and swing momentum briefly in the hosts’ favour.
Arsenal, however, regained control before half-time, once again through Jesus. Bukayo Saka’s corner was headed back across goal by Leandro Trossard, the ball flicked off the crossbar, and Jesus reacted quickest to nod home and complete his brace. The goal marked Arsenal’s 19th from a corner in all competitions this season, underlining their threat from set pieces.
The match remained open and intense, with both sides creating chances. Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was pivotal late in the first half, producing an outstanding double save when Federico Dimarco fired two quick efforts on goal, using both hands and feet to preserve the visitors’ lead.
After the break, Arsenal continued to push for a decisive third goal while Inter remained dangerous. Substitute Pio Esposito went close twice, first seeing an effort flash past Raya’s far post before driving another attempt over the bar from a corner.
The defining moment arrived four minutes from time as Arsenal sealed what was described as “a famous win in style.” Following an Inter corner, Gabriel Martinelli launched a superb long pass into the opposition half. Viktor Gyökeres held off his marker before unleashing a powerful strike from 25 yards, sweeping the ball into the top corner to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory set a new club record for Arsenal, marking their longest-ever winning streak in Europe’s premier club competition. It also guarantees Mikel Arteta’s side will finish no lower than second in the league phase, securing qualification for the last 16 and home advantage in the second leg of the knockout round.
The win was Arsenal’s first Champions League success on Italian soil since March 2008. They now head into their final league-phase match against Kairat Almaty on the brink of becoming the first team in Champions League history to win all eight of their league-phase games.
Attention now turns back to domestic matters, with Arsenal hosting Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday before closing their Champions League campaign at the Emirates Stadium next week.
About The Author
