Arsenal produced a performance of authority and composure in Italy to continue their perfect Champions League campaign, defeating Inter 3-1 at the San Siro and making club history in the process.
The Gunners wasted no time announcing their intentions. Just ten minutes in, Gabriel Jesus reacted quickest inside the box to turn home the opener, scoring his first Champions League goal since November 2023 and marking his first European start of the season in style. Arsenal’s tempo, movement and confidence immediately put the hosts on the back foot.
Inter responded with quality of their own and were rewarded on 18 minutes when Petar Sucic curled a stunning effort into the top corner to restore parity. The equaliser briefly lifted the San Siro, but it did little to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm.
The visitors regained control before the break, once again from a set piece. Bukayo Saka’s corner caused havoc, Leandro Trossard headed the ball back across goal and Jesus was perfectly placed to nod in his second of the night. At half-time, Arsenal led 2-1 and looked full value for it, having consistently stretched Inter’s defensive structure.
After the restart, Mikel Arteta’s side showed maturity alongside their attacking threat. Chances came through Saka and Trossard as Arsenal continued to find space, while Inter struggled to build sustained pressure despite flashes of intent. The decisive moment arrived late on when substitute Viktor Gyokeres sealed the contest in emphatic fashion. Latching onto a long ball, the Swede steadied himself and unleashed a superb strike from outside the area into the top corner to make it 3-1.
The numbers underlined Arsenal’s dominance. They posted an expected goals tally of 2.12 compared to Inter’s 1.33, and never truly looked like surrendering control in the second half. For Inter, it was a third consecutive Champions League defeat, something they had not endured in nearly 15 years.
For Arsenal, this was a night of milestones. Seven wins from seven represents the longest winning streak in their Champions League history, and with a top-two finish already secured, they head into the final league phase match free of pressure. Inter, meanwhile, now face a tense trip to Borussia Dortmund as they fight to remain inside the top eight.
On a stage where English sides have often struggled, Arsenal were calm, ruthless and supremely confident. Milan was meant to be a test. Instead, it became another statement.
