The deafening and iconic atmosphere in the San Siro would only give The Gunners more incentive to push back the Italians, as soon as the referee blew his whistle.
Gabriel Jesus latched onto **Jurrien Timber**’s miskick to convert a special opening goal.
Petar Sucic equalised, but Jesus restored Arsenal’s advantage just over 10 minutes later following a quintessential, well-crafted Arsenal corner.
The Brazilian made way for Viktor Gyokeres with plenty of stock for Mikel Arteta to ponder, but the Swede’s sublime strike gives the Arsenal boss a selection dilemma heading into the Manchester United game this weekend.
Here are our player ratings from Arsenal’s victory in Milan:
David Raya - 6
Arsenal’s goalkeeper conceded just his second goal of the European campaign courtesy of Sucic’s rocket that any keeper would struggle to keep out.
He was forced into three straightforward but important saves across the contest, which was also testament to the defence withstanding **Inter Milan**’s attacking spells.
Jurrien Timber - 6
A solid hour from the Dutchman who was mostly defensively reliable when Inter Milan gained ground, and provided support inside as a buccaneering full-back when necessary.
He crucially left Saka to operate alone against Federico Dimarco rather than interfering, which rendered Arsenal’s right-side dominant throughout.
William Saliba - 7
To be pitted up against two central forwards was a unique proposition compared to regular Premier League outings, and the Frenchman largely stood up to the test.
Although Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram were not completely neutralised, Saliba battled to fend them off and defended according to their contrasting weaponry.
Cristhian Mosquera - 8
A real highlight for Mikel Arteta will be the returning 21-year-old's display.
After recovering successfully from an ankle injury sustained in early December, even with Arsenal’s pressure relieved from their faultless run, Mosquera athletically averted danger consistently and intelligently defended Martinez and Thuram.
When Thuram elected to pin the Spaniard, Mosquera was still not outshone and this signalled that the new signing is a capable starter, and ultimately, a bargain.
Myles Lewis-Skelly - 6
There were suggestions surfacing that Arteta’s confidence in the academy graduate had waned due to Lewis-Skelly starting just once in the Premier League.
With Riccardo Calafiori remaining sidelined with a muscle injury, Lewis-Skelly was the only teenager to feature at the San Siro, and defended diligently to sense the danger appropriately when the Italian league leaders ramped up their pursuit for a goal.
Mikel Merino - 6
Dedicated to the cause and matching the Inter Milan midfield, although Nico Barella and Petar Sucic made for an intriguing battle. Operating in areas between his midfield teammates, Merino’s sharp eye for a pass and management of momentum showed the experience he brings in big games.
Martin Zubimendi - 6
Some passes went astray and perhaps Zubimendi was slightly sapped of energy when closing down at key points, considering his relentless load over the course of his maiden Arsenal campaign.
Nonetheless, Zubimendi completed the most passes in the match and justified why he is a cornerstone to the Arsenal spine, even without boasting vast Champions League experience.
Eberechi Eze - 6
A handful of chances came his way, which he failed to dispatch and this prolonged his wait for a first Champions League goal. His positive movement and involvement in Arsenal’s early pressure deserves credit, but he didn’t quite pull the strings to the extent of others.
Bukayo Saka - 9
Saka dazzled down the left wing with a captain’s performance, tormenting the established Federico Dimarco, oozing confidence off both feet.
After not starting against Nottingham Forest, he spearheaded Arsenal from word go, including a pinpoint deep delivery for Trossard’s header for the second goal, and an inadvertent touch back to Gyokeres for his.
Gabriel Jesus - 9
Roles reversed with his striker counterpart Gyokeres as Jesus started his first Champions League game in over a year.
Two instinctive first half goals set Arsenal on their way, and Jesus’ unique involvement from the front line made for an Arsenal attacking spectacle that hadn’t been produced on Italian soil for some time.
Leandro Trossard - 6
The Belgian struggled to bypass his marker as fluidly as Saka, but fulfilled his main assignment of winning corners and being a nuisance off both feet, coupled with his defensive work-rate.
Substitutes:
Declan Rice - 6
Driving through the centre of Inter Milan’s midfield and ensuring Arsenal didn’t impact their immaculate defensive record in Europe any further when he came on.
A yellow card results in a suspension for the dead rubber Champions League game at home next Wednesday, and ensures Rice can play a significant role in the Premier League games either side.
Ben White - 6
A sturdy display at right-back when he replaced Timber for the last half an hour. Inter Milan inflicted most of their damage stemming from advances down the left, and White had little involvement to thwart it.
Viktor Gyokeres - 8
A rare spot amongst the substitutes for Arsenal’s summer marquee signing, who was displaced by Jesus. Arteta decided to deploy the Swede with 15 minutes to play, and he was hunting for a goal to prove his worth.
Marauding forward, he received a delightful pass from Martinelli and eventually let fly to beat Yann Sommer in stunning fashion, reminiscent of his conviction at Sporting Lisbon.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7
The Brazilian always relishes these occasions, but initially stepped aside for Mosquera. The latter had trouble at times with the home side’s young substitute Francesco Pio Esposito, so Gabriel imposed himself promptly and mitigated the youngster’s growing confidence.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7
The Brazilian should rightly take the plaudits for his sumptuous up-field pass to Gyokeres for Arsenal’s third with the outside of his boot. No goal contribution to show for it, but a reminder of how the winger has a knack for impacting games in important moments.