That was exactly what Arsenal needed after their dismal performance over the weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side faced Inter Milan at the San Siro for their seventh Champions League game of the season, and they won.
Aside from conceding once, the Gunners were near-perfect on the night, demonstrating why they should be considered among the favourites to win the championship, if not the clear favourite.
There were outstanding performances all across the pitch, including a superb cameo from Viktor Gyokeres, but the true standouts were Gabriel Jesus and a now-unstoppable starting.
Gabriel Jesus’ game vs Inter
When Jesus returned from fitness before Christmas, there was speculation about whether and when he would overtake Gyokeres in the pecking order.
At first, it appeared that it might happen quickly, but a couple of unimpressive cameos and a dismal start against Portsmouth raised concerns that he had lost some of the magic that made him such an intriguing attacker prior to his ACL injury. According To X.
Fortunately, Tuesday night demonstrated that he still possesses that mercurial skill, and that it is likely time for him to take over the starting slot from his Swedish comrade.
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The Brazilian opened the scoring with a well-timed, well-taken strike that, according to commentator Jon Champion, demonstrated a genuine “poacher’s instinct” that the team had been lacking.
Not satisfied with one goal, the former Manchester City star scored again 20 minutes later.
Granted, it wasn’t as stunning, but it demonstrated clever positioning and serenity to tip the ball into the back of the net following Leandro Trossard’s header across the area.
The viewing press were naturally thrilled, and Matt Verri of the Standard gave the forward a well-deserved 9/10 match rating at full-time, describing it as a’statement’ performance.
Arsenal’s unstoppable star
The good thing for Arteta is that several of his starters have made themselves unstoppable, but in this case, Bukayo Saka really shone.
The Hale End superstar was rested for the game against Forest, and while he may need his minutes regulated, his performance against Inter makes the prospect of resting him anytime soon appear ludicrous.
Sure, the winger didn’t score himself, and there was a time toward the finish when he might have easily passed to Gyokeres, but otherwise, he was nearly flawless.
For example, his corner led to the second goal, and he ultimately received an assist when number 14 scored the third.
Aside from the output, the 24-year-old was outstanding and, according to content creator Alex Moneypenny, was “running riot at the San Siro.”
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