Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 with a commanding 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday night, extending their perfect record in the competition to seven consecutive wins. The Gunners became the first team to guarantee automatic qualification to the knockout phase, cementing their status as genuine contenders for the title.
Gabriel Jesus was the hero of the evening, scoring twice in the first half to put Arsenal in complete control. The Brazilian striker opened the scoring in the 10th minute before doubling his tally in the 31st minute, giving the visitors a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
Inter pulled one back through Petar Sucic in the 18th minute, briefly raising hopes of a comeback for the home supporters at the Giuseppe Meazza. However, Arsenal's defensive organization and composure meant the Italian champions struggled to create clear-cut opportunities throughout the match.
Viktor Gyokeres, continuing his sensational form since joining from Sporting Lisbon, sealed the victory in the 84th minute with a clinical finish that ended any lingering hopes of an Inter revival. The Swedish striker's goal capped off an impressive collective performance from Mikel Arteta's side.
With this victory, Arsenal set their longest winning run in Europe's premier club competition at seven consecutive matches. The Gunners entered the match with a flawless record of six wins from six games, sitting atop the league phase standings with 18 points, and this win extended their lead.
For Inter Milan, who reached last season's final before losing to Real Madrid, the defeat represents a setback in their quest to go one step further this campaign. The Italian champions now sit with 12 points and face a crucial final league phase match to secure their progression.
Arsenal's dominant display serves notice to the rest of Europe that the North London club are serious title contenders, with Arteta's tactical masterclass proving too much for last year's beaten finalists to handle.