Arsenal thrashed Inter 3-1 at San Siro thanks to two goals from Gabriel Jesus and a late strike from Victor Djuker. Seven wins out of seven secure a place in the top two in the Champions League group stage.

Arsenal 3:1 Inter: victory at San Siro secured a place in the Champions League play-offs

If you were tracking the live score for soccer last night, you saw a story of Arsenal’s determination unfold. They travelled to San Siro, faced Inter, and secured a convincing 3-1 victory. This result did not just earn them three points. It secured their place in the play-offs, making their qualification certain even with one game left in the group stage.

Arteta’s smart rotation paid off

Mikel Arteta made changes to the line-up. He gave some key players a rest ahead of important Premier League matches. Gabriel Jesus started the game in attack, and he took full advantage of it. The Brazilian had not scored in the Champions League for a long time, but he ended that streak in style.

Early spark and quick reaction

Arsenal looked sharp from the first whistle. In the 10th minute, Jurrien Timber tried his luck with a shot. The ball ricocheted nicely to Jesus, who beat Yann Sommer to make it 1-0. The away fans erupted in the stands.

Inter responded quickly. Just eight minutes later, they equalised after Arsenal failed to clear their lines properly. Petar Sulić picked up the ball from outside the penalty area and fired a powerful shot into the top corner. David Raya had no chance. 1-1. At that moment, one might have thought that this was going to turn into a real battle.

Arsenal regained control before the break

Arsenal did not let the equaliser shake them. They continued to press. Around the half-hour mark, they earned a corner. The ball caused chaos in the box, and Jesus rose highest to head home his second goal of the evening. 2-1 at half-time, and Arsenal looked comfortable.

Battle in the second half and late drama

The second half brought a lot of action. Inter are a tough team, and they pressed hard. They created chances. Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram tested Raya, but the goalkeeper kept his cool and made the necessary saves. Arsenal defended well when they needed to and always looked dangerous on the counterattack.

Then came the moment that killed the game. Victor Gokeres came off the bench and changed everything. In the 83rd minute, he received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and finished the attack beautifully into the top corner. 3-1. Game over. Arsenal fans began chanting ‘ola’ with every pass as the final minutes ticked away.

What this victory really means

This victory brought Arsenal to seven wins in the first round of the league. They lead the standings and have already secured a place in the top two. This guarantees them a home match in the second leg of the play-offs. They defeated a very strong Inter Milan away, the same Inter Milan that reached the final last season. That is a real statement.

Outstanding performances

Jesus was the star of the show. He scored two goals after returning to the starting line-up of European teams after a long break due to injury. After the match, he said it was like a dream, and you could see the emotion in his eyes. Dökers also scored an important goal. He had been quiet lately, but that finish reminded everyone of what he is capable of.

The defence remained solid even under pressure from Inter. Players such as Timber and the back four kept their composure. Arteta called for a special performance, and the team delivered. Beating one of Europe’s best teams on their home turf is never easy, but Arsenal has made some of these victories look easy.

Looking ahead

Next up is the final league match at home against Kairat. One point would see Arsenal become the first team in history to win all eight games in this format. However, attention is already turning to the Premier League. Manchester United are coming to town soon. Arteta now faces some important squad selection decisions.

Here are the main questions he will be pondering:

• Will Gabriel Jesus keep his place after this game?
• How does Victor Djuker’s influence from the bench affect the rotation in attack?
• Can the team carry this momentum into domestic games without dropping points?

Why evenings like this are important

For fans, evenings like this are the reason to stick with the team. Sometimes, a performance like this makes a mockery of the pre – match prediction for football. A trip to San Siro, three goals scored, dominance for long periods even after conceding a goal. Performances like this inspire real belief. Arsenal are not just scraping through to the play-offs. They look like real contenders.

Inter will be disappointed. They had their moments, but they couldn’t convert them into goals. Sučić’s strike was brilliant, but Arsenal’s finishing and composure decided the game.

Overall, it was a brilliant evening for the Gunners. They showed the character, quality and hunger that Arteta always demands. The playoff rounds are just around the corner, and Arsenal are approaching them full of confidence.