Any sort of victory against Real Madrid would have been cause for Arsenal celebration, but to comprehensively dismantle the Champions League holders provides additional satisfaction for Mikel Arteta and his players.
Even the most fervent and one-eyed Madridista could not not cry foul after two legs in which they were bettered in every department by a combative, slick and street-wise Arsenal team.
It means Arsenal have won three and drawn one of four European Cup meetings against Madrid, a curious record considering the two clubs’ respective records in the competition.
Madrid were missing three of their first-choice back four, but Arsenal also achieved their 5-1 aggregate win without first-choice defender Gabriel and centre-forward Kai Havertz.