Viktor Gyokeres names ONE Arsenal’s teammate who deserved the Man of the Match award vs Atletico Madrid

Arsenal extended their magnificent Champions League run with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, sending a powerful message to the rest of Europe. The Gunners came into the clash on the back of a five-match winning streak, and their dominant display against Diego Simeone’s men proved why they remain one of the most feared teams in Europe this season.

Viktor Gyokeres stole the headlines with a superb second-half brace that earned him the official Man of the Match award. Yet, in a classy gesture after the game, the Swedish striker admitted that one of his Arsenal teammates — Gabriel Magalhães — truly deserved the honor for his incredible all-round performance.

The Brazilian defender was immense from start to finish. He opened the scoring with a powerful header following a beautifully delivered Declan Rice free-kick, setting the tone for Arsenal’s dominance. Magalhães didn’t stop there — he went on to provide a clever headed assist for Gyokeres’ second goal, showing his growing influence at both ends of the pitch.

Defensively, Gabriel was rock solid. He boasted 89% passing accuracy, won 100% of his aerial duels, and made three crucial clearances to deny Atletico any route back into the game. His composure under pressure and leadership from the back ensured Arsenal kept yet another clean sheet — their third consecutive one in the competition.

After the match, Gabriel took to Instagram to celebrate the team’s stunning performance. His post was flooded with praise from fans and teammates alike, but one comment stood out — Gabriel Martinelli affectionately called him a “complete boss,” summing up the defender’s commanding display.

Gabriel’s evolution under Mikel Arteta continues to impress. Over the past two seasons, the 27-year-old has transformed from a promising talent into one of the most consistent and dominant centre-backs in world football. His ability to read the game, combined with his aerial prowess, has made him not only a defensive rock but also a major threat during set-pieces.

Interestingly, Gabriel’s contributions this season go beyond scoring goals. He has developed a new creative edge — producing headed assists in back-to-back games from Arsenal’s front post routines. Against Fulham last weekend, he flicked on a corner for Leandro Trossard to score, and against Atletico, he repeated the trick with a decisive assist for Gyokeres.

This new dimension in Gabriel’s game gives Arsenal an added advantage in set-piece situations, an area where Arteta’s team has become increasingly lethal. His chemistry with Rice, Ødegaard, and the new arrivals has been crucial to Arsenal’s ability to break down stubborn defenses.

Following this massive win, Arsenal sit third in their Champions League group with nine points, just behind Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan on goal difference. With three group matches remaining, the Gunners are firmly on track to qualify for the knockout stages, and their performance against Atletico sends a strong signal to potential opponents.

Next up, Arsenal return to Premier League duty against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium. The visitors will be coming off a tough Conference League fixture on Thursday, which could give Arsenal the upper hand in the weekend’s London derby. Arteta’s men will be aiming to maintain their three-point cushion at the top of the table, and with the team’s current form, few would bet against them.

As for Viktor Gyokeres, his humility after the Atletico win perfectly captured the team spirit Arteta has built at Arsenal. Despite his brace, the striker was quick to shift the spotlight to Gabriel, recognizing the defender’s tireless work and leadership. It’s that unity, humility, and shared ambition that make this Arsenal team look like genuine contenders — both in England and on the European stage.