Arsenal

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's threat from set-pieces is well known, but the Gunners have gone to another level this season.

Both Liverpool manager Arne Slot and Fulham boss Marco Silva have mentioned the Gunners' ability in those situations recently, with a goal from a corner making the difference in Arsenal's win over the Cottagers on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's team boast excellent delivery from both sides of the pitch with Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka consistently putting the ball in good areas for their team-mates to attack.

Since Rice's debut for Arsenal in August 2023, only Inter Milan's Hakan Calhanoglu (11) has more assists from dead balls in all competitions across Europe's big five leagues than the England international (10).

It was a set-piece and a goal from Gabriel that saw Arsenal get a crucial win over Newcastle in the Premier League last month, and it was the defender again who opened the scoring against Atletico when this match was crying out for a spark.

Arsenal now have 10 goals from set-pieces this season, excluding penalties, and as they hope to compete for trophies in multiple competitions this season, their potency from those opportunities is going to be key.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It was a tough match. After the goal they [Atletico Madrid] opened up a bit and it was a little easier for us to find the spaces.

"I'm very happy with the result. At this level in the Champions League you really need to step up and we certainly did that in every phase of the play. Very happy."

On Viktor Gyokeres scoring: "Delighted as he fully deserved it. The workrate he brings to the team is outstanding.

"We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today and look at his team-mates.

"Hopefully this is the start of some beautiful sequences."

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, speaking to Uefa: "I am very pleased. They had some good opportunities but I think we controlled it overall.

"To score four and keep a clean sheet again is very good. We always keep going. We do the things right when we defend and when we get the chances we are extremely strong in taking those.

"Both [my] goals were great. I try to do my best all the time and work hard, contribute with different stuff and the goals would have come sooner or later.

"We want to do well, we want to win football matches but there's a long journey to go. We will take it game-by-game, even if that sounds boring."

Did you know?

• Since returning to the Uefa Champions League in 2023-24, Arsenal have won all nine of their home group games by an aggregate score of 27-0. It makes them the first side in the competition's history to keep a clean sheet in nine successive home group games.

• After Gabriel Magalhaes' opener (free kick) and Viktor Gyokeres' second of the game (corner), Arsenal are the first side in Europe's big five leagues this season to score 10 goals from set pieces in all competitions.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you think of Arsenal's performance?

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Mikel Arteta makes just two changes for tonight's match with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli coming into the starting XI.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Zubimendi, Eze, Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera,White, Hincapie, Calafiori, Norgaard, Trossard, Merino, Nwaneri

Atletico Madrid starting XI: Oblak, Gimenez, Koke, Barrios, Sorloth, Llorente, Hancko, Alvarez, Simeone, Gonzalez, Le Normand

Subs: Musso, Ruggeri, Gallagher, Griezmann, Baena, Akmada, Carlos Martin, Lenglet, Molina, Pubil, Galan, Raspadori

There are nine games in the Champions League on Tuesday, three featuring Premier League teams and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Barcelona v Olympiacos (17:45)

• Kairat Almaty v Pafos (17:45)

• Arsenal v Atletico Madrid - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Copenhagen v Borussia Dortmund

• Bayer Leverkusen v Paris St-Germain

• Newcastle v Benfica

• PSV Eindhoven v Napoli

• Union Saint-Gilloise v Inter Milan

• Villarreal v Manchester City

Kick-off times 20:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Atletico Madrid".

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Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Declan Rice is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League, but his role for the Gunners now is very different from the one he played in when he arrived at the club.

When Rice signed for Arsenal from West Ham for £105m in 2023, he spent the first six months as a more traditional holding midfielder, before he moved to a box-to-box role following a winter training camp in January 2024.

That change brought an increase in his attacking numbers, helped by him taking set-pieces, and he carried that into last season as the 26-year-old produced a career-best campaign for goal contributions with nine goals and 10 assists.

Rice already has three assists and one goal in his 11 games for Arsenal this season.

Martin Zubimendi is one of the best deep-lying midfielders in Europe and has allowed Rice to continue his move to a fully fledged box-to-box midfielder - but in a slightly different way.

The Spaniard's presence has actually meant Rice taking up a deeper position alongside him, but in a role that allows the Englishman to use his running power to join Arsenal attacks.

He leads the way for the Gunners this season on total ball carries (147), passes played into the box (57) and chances created (level with Bukayo Saka on 13).

A recruitment specialist working in top-level football told BBC Sport: "The attacking role hasn't fazed him. He has grasped it really well and you can tell it's something he's always had.

"He is extremely athletic and a good mover. He has the freedom to create in the attacking area of the pitch. He is excellent in holding. He is such a fluent player and performs with the freedom he has been given.

"A good player with good passing, but can also be gritty and break up play. He is a commanding midfield player.

"He can dictate the tempo of the game. Really good precision in his actions. He has transitioned seamlessly to a box-to-box player."

Read more on the evolution of Rice's game since joining Arsenal

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's 15-year-old Max Dowman scored twice as the U19s played out an entertaining match with Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Youth League.

Dowman started centrally behind striker Andre Harriman-Annous with 16-year-old Marli Salmon, who went on tour with the first team, the captain at centre back.

Arsenal scored the first goal of the afternoon when Harrison Dudziak scored from close range after Brando Bailey-Joseph beat his full back and cut the ball back to him in the area.

Dowman showed why he has already made his first team debut this season with touches of real quality but when he appeared to be taken down in the area no penalty was given.

He was also taken down heavily while dribbling and Atleti's Daniel Munoz was given a yellow card for the late challenge.

Downman is a powerful runner and his physical ability and numbers are on par with members of the senior squad.

Sergio Vinatea levelled the game with a drilled low shot from the edge of the box before Dowman calmly gave Arsenal the lead from the penalty spot.

Atletico then scored two quick fire goals before Dowman scored his second spot-kick of the afternoon. He looked to have rescued a point but Atletico Madrid winger Ruben Gomez fired in the winner just one minute later following a counter-attack.

Laura Kirk-Francis
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

"The thing about Arsenal is that they always try and walk it in!"

This line from an episode of the IT Crowd is nearly 20 years old. Referencing the intricate and often overly complex football made famous by Arsene Wenger, you would be hard pushed to find any fan using it to describe the current Arsenal edition.

Today, Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League having already scored from 10 set-pieces this season.

It is the earliest into a season that any side has reached double figures for set-piece goals in Premier League history, external. Leandro Trossard's 58th-minute goal from a Bukayo Saka corner was the seventh time Arsenal have found the net from a corner this season.

They are certainly not trying to walk it in anymore.

This is a club with a very strong sense of identity in how it conducts itself on and off the pitch. But for many years Arsenal were derided for prioritising beauty and intricacy over ruthlessness.

Opposition fans scoff at the idea of 'Set-Piece FC', but Arsenal fans have watched their club play 'the right way' for many years and fall short. Now, they are watching them play the winning way.

For me, this departure from style over substance can only be positive. It is also not a case of either/or.

Arsenal have still struggled at times to be fluid in attack, but they are dominant in possession and have scored some excellent team goals. I would be lying if I said I did not want to see a bit more of the razzle dazzle from two seasons ago, but if not then I will happily accept a set-piece winner every day of the week.

Opposition fans hate it, Arsenal fans love it, but this is undeniably the new Arsenal way.

And it's working.

Find more from Laura Kirk-Francis at the Latte Firm podcast, external

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the aftermath of Arsenal's 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, there was a picture doing the rounds on social media.

It was not of the goal or of any of the celebrations. Instead, it was an image of defender William Saliba watching Atletico Madrid, the Gunners' opponents in the Champions League, on the team bus leaving Craven Cottage.

There is a quick turnaround between the games with just two days of preparation before Diego Simeone brings his Atletico side to north London.

The Gunners have only conceded three goals this season, keeping eight clean sheets and boss Mikel Arteta says he was happy to see the dedication from members of his squad.

"Very pleased because I didn't encourage it - that came from them. Arteta said.

"We know this will be a tough one, so the earlier we think about it the better. I love that initiative from the players."

Full commentary of Arsenal v Atletico Madrid on BBC Radio 5 Live from 20:00 BST on Tuesday

Alex Howell
Arsenal news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mikel Merino has backed his Arsenal team-mate Viktor Gyokeres to rediscover his goalscoring touch for the Gunners.

The Sweden international has not scored for Arsenal since the start of September, nor did he find the net for his country during the international break, meaning he is without a goal in nine games.

Mikel Arteta has previously spoken about the work that Gyokeres is doing to create space for his team-mates and Merino backed up that sentiment.

"He is giving us many options on and off the ball - if you see the data, it is unbelievable." Merino said in defence of Gyokeres.

"I am sure goals will come. I'm sure he wants to score as much as anyone else. When the team win, it is a collective, I'm sure he is happy with what he is bringing on and off the ball for his team-mates. If he scores goals that is better for him and everyone as well [but] the main thing is if the team wins."

Gyokeres joined Arsenal in the summer in a £64m deal and the 27-year-old scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting before moving to north London.

"He has the quality, the tools and the physicality," Merino added. "It is a matter of time before he is going to score goals.

"I think he is a pretty confident guy. He scored how many goals last season - it is not something you forget one day to another."

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Premier League game against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Piero Hincapie is available, with Arteta explaining he was not in the squad for the game at Fulham because it "came a bit too quickly for him".

• Arteta said he "loves the initiative" of his players after a video shared to social media showed William Saliba watching Atletico Madrid on the coach after winning at Craven Cottage: "I'm very pleased because I didn't encourage it - that came from them."

• On being favourites to win the Premier League after extending their lead at the top to three points: "The only thing I embrace is when I see the team, the energy, the temperature and the quality that they can deliver. That gives me the conviction that we can go all the way."

• He said the team has "shown a different kind of maturity" this season, carrying "a threat" and "conviction".

• However, he accepted Arsenal have to maintain that "for another 30 games", which is the biggest challenge.

• He said Atletico boss Diego Simeone is someone he looks up to because "he still has that capacity to transmit a willingness to win" after 14 years in charge.

Follow the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Arsenal v Atletico Madrid from 20:00 BST on Tuesday on BBC Radio 5 Live

Paul Birch
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, BBC Sport

While Liverpool's defence is currently porous, Arsenal's appears increasingly impenetrable.

The Gunners' 1-0 win over Fulham was built on an eighth clean sheet in 11 matches in all competitions this season.

The only goals the league leaders have conceded have been via a 30-yard thunderbolt from Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai, one from unstoppable Manchester City forward Erling Haaland and a header by in-form Nick Woltemade at a raucous St James' Park. Only Haaland's came from open play.

In comparison, the Premier League champions have let in 17 goals and kept only two clean sheets in their 12 fixtures.

Arsenal are not just stopping sides scoring, they are denying them as much as a sniff at goal. For the first time since November 2003, during what turned out to be their Invincibles campaign, Arteta's team have not faced a shot on target in back-to-back league matches.

And they have given up just five big chances in eight league matches this season. To put that in context, Manchester United had five big chances to score at Anfield alone yesterday.

Remarkably, the last time they conceded more than two league goals in a game was in December 2023 at Luton Town.

Carry on like this and the likes of David Raya, William Saliba and Gabriel will break Chelsea's legendary record for the fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season when the Blues let in just 15 in 2004-05.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Fulham and Arsenal.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Rob: Lots of huff and puff without looking like scoring. Injuries piling up is a worry. Josh King looks like our only threat and when he went off we lost any spark. The way Arsenal celebrated I thought they had won the league, so we must have been OK.

James: Frustrating. I was never really expecting a win against an in-form Arsenal. There were sparks of hope but they couldn't finish any of them. We need their corner routines.

Robin: Three defeats on the bounce and injuries mounting up. The poor summer transfer window is bearing fruit now. We could be in real bother if we carry on like this.

Arsenal fans

Alun: In previous seasons, we wouldn't have kept a lead like we did. Now the resilience and confidence in this team appear to be growing from game to game. If we are to be champions for the first time since 2004, this must last till the very end. COYG!

Banda: The team showed strong defensive discipline and didn't allow Fulham a shot on target. However, the team's attack was flat without Martin Odegaard. All in all, the win keeps Arsenal top of the Premier League and shows they can grind out results even when not at their best.

Terry: Disappointing first half. With this much quality we lacked urgency and the poor passing is not enough going forward. We bought a centre-forward but we are not using his capabilities. There was improvement in the second half but a couple of players disappointed. We got the goal that counted from a set-play, but goals from open play is what is needed. Character showed through but more to come.

Arsenal and Tottenham are among the Premier League clubs interested in St-Etienne's 17-year-old striker Djylian N'Guessan. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-0 Everton

• Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth

• Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal came into this match on a four-match winning streak and the game against Fulham gave them the chance to build a clear lead at the top of the Premier League for the first time this season.

The Gunners have stumbled in their title challenge in the past two seasons at Craven Cottage with a loss and a draw in their two visits prior to their win today.

There is a different feel around the Arsenal squad this season and with the eight new additions Arsenal made in the summer, Arteta has quality options when things get difficult.

Arteta was able to call on England international Eberechi Eze to take the place of captain Martin Odegaard, and although the midfielder did not have his best game there was not a drop off in quality to the Arsenal team.

Arsenal are well known for their threats from set-pieces and that was the difference in the match - and it will not be the last time a crucial goal comes from the excellent deliveries they produce from Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice.

The Gunners have navigated a difficult start to the season well and now have the chance to build on that good work they have done, with today's win taking their unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

Mikel Arteta spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Arsenal's victory against Fulham: "Never easy. You need to get everyone aligned and up to speed to come to a difficult place. We didn't win here in the last two seasons. They keep knocking on the door so I'm very happy.

"We gave the ball away a few times. Probably not the best emotional state in the first 15 minutes but we had to overcome that, that's football. Some great saves from them and some misses we had."

On Gabriel: "He is really aggressive, really determined. It's a collective effort. Everyone has their roles and we need to operate them."

On Leandro Trossard: "He's got that intuition to score the goals and that's what we want.

"The players are the options. Some players came in today. Nothing different to other top teams."

Leandro Trossard also spoke to MOTD after Saturday's victory: "Very pleased with that. It was a tough game for us, especially first half the quality on our side wasn't there. We picked it up in the second half. We created some more chances and we're really happy with the win.

On possibly feeling tired after the international break: "I can only speak for myself and I'm feeling really good at the moment. It is a very important win for us again and another clean sheet. We just need to keep going.

"I think everyone is on their toes to help the team - even the players who come on do their job.

"I'm so happy for the team because we work very hard in training."

Did you know?

• This was the first time since November 2003 that Arsenal didn't face a shot on target in successive Premier League games, with the second game on that occasion also against Fulham.

• Arsenal's clean sheet is David Raya's 54th in the Premier League (34 with Arsenal, 20 with Brentford) – it's the outright most since his first season in the competition in 2021-22.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies