Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Arsenal won at Inter Milan to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League and guarantee themselves a top-two finish in the league phase of the competition.
The Gunners were all but certain of a top-eight finish coming into this match and set their longest ever winning streak in the competition with an impressive seventh success.
They had Inter pinned back from the beginning before Jesus’ poked finish from close range put them ahead in the 10th minute.
Inter built up their own period of pressure after going behind and Petar Sucic levelled when he bent a powerful strike past David Raya from the edge of the area after Nicolo Barella’s initial effort was blocked.
But Arsenal, like they have so often done this season, regained the lead from a trademark set-piece in the 31st minute as Leandro Trossard headed Bukayo Saka’s deep corner back into the area and the unmarked Jesus nodded the ball in.
The Brazilian striker’s second goal was the 19th Arsenal have scored from corners this season – the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
Substitute Viktor Gyokeres made sure it was a comfortable end to the match when he curled in a great strike from the edge of the area for their third six minutes from time.
Along with missing the play-offs in February, the Gunners will also have home advantage in the second leg in the knockout phase.
Arsenal analysis: Gunners maintain fine away form
This match was a fourth on the road for Arsenal in all competitions and the Gunners again showed they are going to be hard to stop whoever they face.
Even more impressive was the fact they have remained unbeaten in all those matches with wins against Chelsea, Portsmouth and Inter Milan. A point at Nottingham Forest, although disappointing at the time, still saw them stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points.
Boss Mikel Arteta has been able to rotate his squad through this period with seven changes in Milan, three at Forest and eight for the Carabao Cup semi-final match at Chelsea – such is the depth at his disposal this season.
He will need his squad to stay fit as they get into the business end of the season but it looks as though things are starting to fall into place for him.
Jesus, starting just his third game this term after returning from an 11-month absence with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, also looked sharp.
His two goals ended a run of 10 Champions League games without scoring – the last one coming in November 2023 against Lens – while fellow forward Gyokeres boosted his confidence with a goal.
With Kai Havertz building his fitness after returning from a knee injury, being able to call on forwards who can get goals will be crucial for Arteta’s side in their quest for a trophy.
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