"While Arsenal are still searching for a statement win to announce their Premier League title credentials, the wait for a UEFA Champions League equivalent is over. For almost an hour on Tuesday night, Atlético Madrid's visit to Emirates Stadium was the combative, gritty contest many anticipated beforehand. And then, an explosion happened: The house that Atlético coach Diego Simeone has stoically built over almost 14 years was shattered by four goals in 14 minutes, and the Gunners won 4-0."
"Arsenal's set-piece prowess is common knowledge. While the Premier League has been unable to find an answer -- Arsenal's 37 goals from corners since the start of the 2023-24 season is 16 more than anyone else -- surely Simeone, the game's finest defensive coach, could do so. It appeared for a while that would be the case. And the answer was simple, if extremely difficult to execute: don't give them an opportunity. Arsenal had just one corner in the opening 45 minutes."
Arsenal beat Atlético Madrid 4-0 at the Emirates, scoring four goals in a 14-minute burst after an otherwise combative first hour. Atlético competed strongly until the opening goal, then defensive errors allowed Arsenal to convert big chances and set pieces. The expanded group-stage format reduces the weight of early results on paper, but the win could significantly boost Arsenal's young group's trophy prospects. Arsenal's set-piece threat is pronounced, with 37 goals from corners since the start of 2023-24, 16 more than any other team. Declan Rice's 57th-minute free kick was headed in by Gabriel Magalhães, breaking the contest open.
Read at ESPN.com
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