Three things we learned from Arsenal win as Gyokeres answers Jesus challenge

Arsenal may not have needed the result, but their 3–1 win away at Inter Milan felt like another statement of intent on the biggest European stage.

Seven changes, a hostile San Siro, and still seven wins from seven in the Champions League. Arsenal continue to look like a side nobody will want to face when the knockout rounds arrive.

Gabriel Jesus struck twice, Viktor Gyokeres delivered off the bench, and Petar Sucic’s superb goal proved little more than a footnote on a night that underlined Arsenal’s growing authority.

Arsenal’s place in the Champions League last 16 was already secured before kick-off thanks to Manchester City losing to Bodø/Glimt earlier in the evening.

Victory in Milan, however, wrapped up a top-two finish and with it a huge advantage heading into the knockout stages: home second legs all the way to the final, should they get that far.

Margins are tiny in the latter rounds of this competition, and that edge could prove decisive. Arteta’s side have now beaten Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan during a flawless European run.

With next week’s home game against Kairat carrying no real significance, Mikel Arteta can rotate freely and keep his squad fresh for what lies ahead.

Cristhian Mosquera’s return could hardly have been more demanding.

The 21-year-old’s previous appearance ended prematurely against Brentford in early December, yet Arteta trusted him to start at the San Siro alongside William Saliba — a decision that paid off handsomely.

Mosquera looked calm, composed and mature beyond his years. Two perfectly timed blocks denied Marcus Thuram, while his decision-making stood out just as much as his physical defending.

When Sucic drove into space around the box, Mosquera stayed on his feet, closed angles intelligently and forced the danger away. It was a performance that suggested Arsenal’s defensive depth is stronger than ever.

The spotlight was firmly on Arsenal’s forwards — and both delivered.

Gabriel Jesus, still yet to start a Premier League match this season, made a compelling case with two instinctive first-half finishes. His movement, link-up play and sharpness brought fluidity to Arsenal’s attack and reminded everyone of his quality.

That set the stage for Viktor Gyokeres.

Introduced late on, the Swede faced clear pressure to respond — and did so emphatically. He battled defenders physically before producing a superb curling finish to kill the contest.

It was exactly the type of moment Gyokeres needed, and exactly the type of problem Arteta will relish having ahead of Manchester United’s visit to north London this weekend.

Two strikers. Two statements. One very healthy dilemma.

Arsenal host Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday before rounding off the Champions League league phase against Kairat with nothing riding on the result.

Should Arteta stick with Gabriel Jesus in the league, or has Gyokeres earned his chance to start?