Viktor Gyokeres finally found his scoring touch as Arsenal stormed past Atletico Madrid with a ruthless four-goal burst that left Diego Simeone’s side shell-shocked in north London.

After a frustrating first half where Mikel Arteta’s men dominated without reward, the Gunners erupted after the break, scoring four times in just 13 breathtaking minutes to extend their perfect Champions League record three wins, three clean sheets.

Eberechi Eze rattled the bar and Bukayo Saka was denied one-on-one by Jan Oblak before the interval, while Gabriel Martinelli saw a tap-in ruled out for offside. Atletico had their own warning sign when Julian Alvarez failed to punish David Raya’s mistake, but once Arsenal clicked into gear, there was no stopping them.

Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock with a trademark header from Declan Rice’s pinpoint free-kick, before Martinelli doubled the lead with a classy curling finish after a storming run from teenage midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Gyokeres, who had gone more than 600 minutes without a goal, ended his drought with a deflected finish before adding a scrappy second from close range to round off a magnificent night for Arteta’s men.

Here are the five key talking points from a night the Emirates won’t forget in a hurry:

1. Saka’s spark returns

Almost everything good Arsenal created in the first half came down Bukayo Saka’s right flank. The England star repeatedly tormented left-back David Hancko, combining superbly with Jurrien Timber but just lacking the finishing touch. Despite concerns over his hamstring, Saka reminded everyone how vital he remains to Arteta’s attack his energy and invention set the tone for the onslaught that followed.

2. Zubimendi’s bittersweet night

Martin Zubimendi looked every inch an Arsenal midfielder as he dictated play from deep, creating Gyokeres’ early chance and sparking the move for Martinelli’s goal. But his evening ended with frustration a first-half yellow card means he’ll miss the next European outing against Slavia Prague. A small blemish on an otherwise assured display.

3. Set-piece supremacy continues

If there’s one area where Arsenal leads Europe, it is dead-ball efficiency. Once again, Nicolas Jover’s set-piece drills paid off as Rice delivered a wicked inswinger and Gabriel rose highest to power home. Opponents still haven’t worked out how to stop Arsenal’s routines and when they score first, they rarely look back.

4. Martinelli’s European form

Three games, three goals Gabriel Martinelli is quickly becoming Arsenal’s Champions League talisman. The Brazilian’s strike, a delicious curler into the far corner, was pure confidence and instinct. His hunger and high press continue to define Arteta’s front line, and his finishing touch is now matching his relentless drive.

5. Feed the Gyok

Pressure had been building on Viktor Gyokeres after seven Arsenal matches without a goal, but the Swede responded in style. His first was scrappy, his second opportunistic but both were exactly what strikers live for. The £80m summer signing now looks back in rhythm, and if Arsenal keeps creating chances, more goals will surely follow.

Arsenal’s emphatic win leaves them firmly in control of their group and sends a message to Europe’s elite. For all the pre-match talk of Gyokeres’ struggles and Atletico’s resilience, Arteta’s side answered in the loudest possible way with a performance full of pace, precision and power.