Mikel Arteta's Arsenal secured their spot in the top two of the Champions League initial phase with a professional 3-1 victory away to Inter Milan. It means the 2006 runners-up can put their feet up in next week's final game of the league phase, with Arsenal fans dreaming of a first-ever Champions League triumph come May.
While eyebrows were raised at the strength of Arsenal's starting XI, they weren't afraid to take the game to Inter in the opening exchanges, with the Premier League leaders rewarded for the positivity. Gabriel Jesus was on hand to turn home a deflected Myles Lewis-Skelly shot to put the north Londoners on their way. A stunning Inter equaliser quelled the excitement momentarily, but Jesus again ensured Arsenal went into the break with an advantage, sweeping hom from close range after a - yes you guessed it - nicely worked corner routine.
Inter pushed for an equaliser in the second half, but as they so often do, Arsenal's defence dug deep and prevented the Italians from garnering a route back into the game. It was put beyond any doubt when substitute Viktor Gyokeres converted from the edge of the box to round off a solid evening's work for Arteta's men. Express Sport hands out player ratings after Arsenal's win in Milan.
Couldn't have done anything for the Inter equaliser, which, to the Spaniard's credit, has become a recurring theme of late. It generally takes a worldie to beat Arsenal's No.1.
No thrills, but that's become the Dutchman's modus operandi of late. Probably the best right back in the world right now and that's mostly down to his immense consistency.
He might not have had his usual partner beside him, but that didn't stop the Frenchman from maintaining his usual standards. Another classy showing from the 24-year-old.
A superb 75 minutes for the stand-in centre-back, who dealt with the physicality of Inter's attackers before being replaced by Gabriel late on.
Deployed in his natural midfield position and certainly put himself about. His night was brought to an abrupt end after picking up a needless yellow card. No chances taken.
Was handed a real chance to make a difference, and while the calibre of opposition was high, the playmaker didn't leave his mark on the contest. There were some fancy touches in the middle of the park, but he did carelessly lose possession on occasion.
It's difficult to know what to make of the England international this season. He isn't having a bad campaign by any stretch of the imagination, but is he having a good one? The jury remains out on that. Had a chance to end his drought from open play but took far too long with his shot.
It begs the question just how far in front Arsenal might've been had they been able to call on the expertise of the Brazil international for all these months. He spoke about wanting a contract extension before the match, and with performances like that, the Arsenal hierarchy will haev a difficult job saying no.
Would've been twitching after watching Jesus bag a brace, but the simmer signing responded in the perfect fashion with a goal of his own. Didn't do much outside of that, but it's goals that matter!
He's made a habit of dazzling off the bench, and this time it was a splendid defence-splitting pass that eventually led to the Gyokeres goal.
Came on midway through the second half to steady things up.