After their frustrating performance on the weekend, that was just what the doctor ordered for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta's side had the challenging task of facing Inter Milan at the San Siro for their seventh game in the Champions League season, so far, and came away with their seventh win.
Aside from conceding once, the Gunners were near-perfect on the night and showed why they have to be considered among the favourites to win the whole competition, if not the outright favourite.
arsenal rice gyokeres
There were stellar performances across the pitch, including a strong cameo from Viktor Gyokeres, but the real standouts were Gabriel Jesus and a now-undroppable starter.
Gabriel Jesus' game vs Inter
When Jesus returned from fitness before Christmas, there was talk of whether and, potentially, when he would surpass Gyokeres in the pecking order.
At first, it looked like it would happen relatively quickly, but then a couple of underwhelming cameos and a mediocre start against Portsmouth led some to question whether he had lost some of the magic that made him such an exciting attacker before his ACL injury.
Fortunately, Tuesday night showed that he still has that mercurial ability, and that it is probably time for him to take the starting spot from his Swedish teammate.
It was the Brazilian who opened the scoring with a well-timed, well-taken finish that, in the words of commentator Jon Champion, showed a real "poacher's instinct" which the club have been missing.
Not satisfied with one goal, the former Manchester City star then bagged his second 20 minutes later.
Granted, it wasn't as impressive, but it once again showed clever positioning and a calmness to nod the ball into the back of the net from Leandro Trossard's header across the area.
The watching press were understandably impressed, and the Standard's Matt Verri gave the forward a well-deserved 9/10 match rating at full-time, writing that it was a 'statement' showing.
Jesus vs Inter
Minutes
Expected Goals
Goals
Shots
Touches
Successful Dribbles
Fouls Won
Big Chances Created
Key Passes
Recoveries
All Stats via Sofascore
Unsurprisingly, the Brazilian's statistics more than back up such an appraisal: in 75 minutes, he racked up a combined expected goals and assists figure of 1.46, took two shots, played two key passes, created one big chance, won one foul, recovered the ball once, and completed one dribble.
In all, it was a sensational display from Jesus and one that has undoubtedly made him undroppable, which could also be said about one of his teammates.
Arsenal's undroppable star
The great news for Arteta is that you could make the argument that several of his starters have made themselves undroppable, but in this instance, it's Bukayo Saka who really shone.
saka
The Hale End superstar was rested for the game against Forest, and while he probably does need his minutes managed, his display against Inter makes the idea of resting him anytime soon seem absurd.
Sure, the winger didn't score himself, and there was a moment towards the end in which he could have probably passed to Gyokeres, but other than that, he was practically faultless.
For example, it was his corner that led to the second goal, and he did finally get an assist when number 14 chalked up the third.
However, away from the output, the 24-year-old was incredible and, in the words of content creator Alex Moneypenny, was "running riot at the San Siro."
saka
He was a constant threat on the right, and for most of the game, the Italian giants simply didn't have an answer for him.
That might sound hyperbolic, but it's an opinion shared by Verri, who gave the winger an 8/10 match rating, writing that he looked 'bang up for it right from the off and drove Arsenal forward.'
Saka vs Inter
Minutes
Shots
Touches
Dribbles (Successful)
Fouls Won
Aerial Duels (Won)
Recoveries
Clearances
Key Passes
All Stats via Sofascore
The good news is that his numbers more than back up the eye test.
For example, in his 93 minutes of action, the game-changing dynamo took five shots, played three key passes, took 60 touches, completed three dribbles, won two fouls, on 100% of his aerial duels, recovered the ball three times and made one clearance.
arsenal
Ultimately, Arsenal were sensational against Inter on Tuesday night, and while the whole team deserve praise, Jesus and Saka were particularly impressive and simply cannot be dropped for the game on Sunday.
Saliba-Arsenal Related
Arsenal now drawing up plans to sign the next Saliba for Arteta
The incredible young talent could develop into Mikel Arteta and Arsenal's next William Saliba.