“They’re the Best in the World Right Now” — Atletico Defender David Hancko Hails Arsenal After 4-0 Champions League Thrashing
Atletico Madrid defender David Hancko has heaped praise on Arsenal, describing the Premier League giants as “one of the best teams in the world right now” after his side’s heavy 4-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Spanish side were left stunned as Arsenal ran riot in the second half, scoring four goals in just 13 breathtaking minutes.
Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage, and Viktor Gyökeres sealed the victory with a quickfire brace — ending his nine-game goal drought in emphatic style.
Speaking to UEFA after the match, Hancko admitted that Arsenal’s quality — particularly their set-piece mastery — made the difference.
“It was a very tough game. You can expect this because they’re one of the best teams in the world right now — definitely,” Hancko said.
“Personally, I was up against Bukayo [Saka], which is always a big challenge. It was close at half-time; we were able to defend their set pieces, and they’re the best in the world at them right now.
“In the second half, suddenly they went 1-0 up from a set piece. Then in five minutes, it was 3-0. It just shows you how good they are — you cannot switch off for even one second.”
He added that the team was “really disappointed” not to produce a better result, acknowledging that the 4-0 scoreline reflected Arsenal’s superiority.
TalkTalk Nigeria also reported that Atletico Madrid as a team described Arsenal as the toughest opponent they have faced so far this season.
💭 Opinion: Arsenal’s Ruthless Form Is a Warning to Europe — This Team Means Business
What makes Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid even more impressive isn’t just the scoreline — it’s how they did it. For years, critics have questioned Arsenal’s ability to dominate Europe’s elite. But on Tuesday night, Mikel Arteta’s men didn’t just win — they made a statement.
Hancko’s words weren’t empty praise; they were honest recognition from a defender who spent 90 minutes chasing shadows. Atletico, a team known for their defensive resilience under Diego Simeone, were completely dismantled. That doesn’t happen by chance.
Arsenal’s set-piece precision, their aggressive pressing, and their calm confidence on the ball show a side that has evolved beyond being just “Premier League hopefuls.” They are now continental contenders.
And perhaps the most striking thing? The balance. Every player knows their role. Gabriel leads from the back like a warrior, Martinelli terrorizes defenses with pace, and Gyökeres — wearing the sacred No.14 — has begun to find his scoring rhythm again.
If Arsenal continue at this level, the rest of Europe should take note — this isn’t just another good Arsenal side. This is a team with the power, depth, and mentality to go all the way.
