Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has openly confessed that Arsenal are now the team he dreads facing the most in Europe. After witnessing Mikel Arteta’s men crush Atletico Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates, Enrique admitted that the Gunners have evolved into a terrifying force — one capable of dismantling even the most disciplined sides. It wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration that Arsenal are no longer the learners of European football, but the teachers.
From the opening whistle, Arsenal looked like a storm bottled up too long. Eberechi Eze struck the crossbar with a curling effort that had Oblak rooted, while Declan Rice nearly followed up with a thunderbolt. Myles Lewis-Skelly, the teenage revelation, played with the confidence of a veteran, driving through midfield like he owned the place. Atletico tried to absorb the chaos, but it was clear from the first ten minutes that they were clinging to survival.
Atletico’s defense, famed for its resilience, began to creak under the relentless red tide. A heart-stopping moment arrived when David Raya’s mistake almost gifted Julian Alvarez the opener, but the Argentine’s shot flew just wide. That was the warning Arsenal needed. Soon after, Martinelli had a goal ruled out for offside, yet the Gunners kept coming — their passing crisp, their movement ruthless. The tension snapped when a soft free kick turned into the spark for Arsenal’s dominance.
Declan Rice, ice-cool as ever, delivered a perfect cross from the set-piece. Gabriel Magalhães rose like a warrior in a crowd of statues and nodded it home. The Emirates exploded — the noise felt like thunder rolling through London. Atletico were suddenly on the back foot, and from there, Arsenal smelt blood. Their control became suffocating; every touch from an Arsenal player carried intent and belief.
Minutes later, the young Lewis-Skelly danced through midfield again, slicing through Atletico’s lines before feeding Martinelli. The Brazilian curled the ball into the net as if he’d been rehearsing it in his dreams — 2-0, and the crowd was delirious. Viktor Gyökeres then stepped up, shaking off a seven-game goal drought with a scrappy finish that reignited his fire. His celebration was pure emotion — relief, release, redemption. He didn’t stop there, doubling his tally minutes later with another close-range strike.
In just thirteen minutes, Arsenal had torn Atletico Madrid apart. Simeone, the master of defensive order, sat helpless as his team crumbled under Arsenal’s precision and power. The Gunners were ruthless, merciless, and absolutely in control. The performance echoed across Europe — and straight into the mind of Luis Enrique, who couldn’t help but admire, and fear, what he saw.
The PSG boss reportedly confessed that Arsenal now remind him of his old Barcelona — “relentless, dynamic, and fearless.” Even Mikel Arteta, usually composed, was full of emotion afterward, praising his players’ intensity and Gyökeres’ resilience. Simeone, ever the realist, admitted defeat gracefully, calling Arsenal “the best team we’ve faced this season.” It wasn’t flattery — it was fact.
For Arsenal, this was their third straight Champions League win of the season, all achieved without conceding. The Emirates has become their fortress — ten unbeaten home games in Europe’s top competition. Enrique’s fear is justified: Arsenal now play with the pressing of City, the artistry of Barcelona, and the defensive unity of Atletico. Keep this form up, and it won’t just be fear they inspire — it’ll be inevitability. PSG, beware — this Arsenal side isn’t coming to participate. They’re coming to conquer.
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