Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur gave English football plenty to celebrate on a dramatic Champions League night, while Manchester City endured a sobering defeat north of the Arctic Circle.

North London rivals both progressed in style, but Pep Guardiola’s youthful City side were handed a historic loss by Bodo/Glimt.

Jesus leads rampant Arsenal into last 16

Inter Milan 1–3 Arsenal

Arsenal confirmed their status as the form team of this season’s Champions League with an emphatic 3–1 win away to Inter Milan, extending their remarkable European run and sealing qualification for the round of 16.

By the time kick-off arrived at San Siro, Manchester City’s earlier defeat had already ensured Arsenal’s progression. Still, Mikel Arteta’s side underlined their authority in the competition with a seventh straight Champions League victory — a club and English record.

Gabriel Jesus was the standout performer, scoring twice in a glittering display that blended sharp movement with clinical finishing. His opener came after just a few minutes, reacting quickest to convert a loose effort from Jurrien Timber. Inter briefly threatened to swing momentum their way when Petar Sucic curled in a fine equaliser, but Arsenal never lost control.

Jesus restored the lead before half-time, pouncing from close range after Leandro Trossard headed the ball back across goal from a corner. The Brazilian, visibly emotional, later spoke of fulfilling a lifelong dream by scoring at one of Europe’s most iconic stadiums.

Substitute Viktor Gyökeres added gloss late on, rifling in from outside the box to secure Arsenal’s first win in Italy since 2008 and cap a statement performance.

Arteta was glowing in his post-match assessment. “We went to another level,” he said. “To do it here, against one of the best teams in Europe, is something special.”

The victory also placed Arsenal in rare company. Only Bayern Munich in 2019/20 have previously won seven Champions League matches by two goals or more in a single campaign — a season that ended with European glory.

With a top-two finish in the league phase now guaranteed, Arsenal avoid the playoff round and will host the second leg of every knockout tie. Attention now turns back to domestic matters, with Manchester United visiting the Emirates this weekend before a final European group match against Kairat Almaty.

Spurs find comfort in Europe as Solanke scores on return

Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Borussia Dortmund

While league form has wobbled at home, Tottenham Hotspur once again found refuge in Europe, extending their unbeaten home run on the continent to 24 matches with a controlled 2–0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.

Cristian Romero set the tone early, powering in a header from a corner after 14 minutes following a ferocious start from Thomas Frank’s side. Spurs were relentless in their pressing, pinning Dortmund deep and forcing errors.

The contest tilted decisively in Tottenham’s favour midway through the first half when Dortmund defender Daniel Svensson was sent off for a high challenge on Wilson Odobert. From there, Spurs managed the game with authority.

Dominic Solanke, making his first start of the season, marked his return in memorable fashion. The striker bundled in from close range to double the lead, becoming only the fifth player — and just the second Englishman — to score on his Champions League debut for Spurs.

“I’m just happy to be back,” Solanke said. “To start again and help the team win meant everything.”

The clean sheet maintained Spurs’ perfect defensive record at home in this season’s Champions League, with four wins from four. Frank praised his side’s consistency, hinting that momentum may finally be building.

The win lifts Tottenham into the top four of the league phase and leaves them well placed to push for a top-eight finish ahead of next week’s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt. First, they return to Premier League duty away at Burnley.

City shocked as Bodo/Glimt make history

Bodo/Glimt 3–1 Manchester City

Manchester City’s night unravelled in extraordinary fashion in Norway, where Bodo/Glimt claimed a famous 3–1 win to become the first Norwegian side to beat an English club in the Champions League.

Two goals in the space of three minutes from Kasper Høgh stunned City midway through the first half, exposing defensive frailties in Guardiola’s youngest-ever Champions League starting XI. Jens-Petter Hauge then curled in a superb third shortly after the break, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Rayan Cherki briefly offered City hope with a strike on the hour, but any chance of a comeback evaporated almost immediately when Rodri was sent off, collecting two quick yellow cards as he continues his return from injury.

For City, it was a third instance this season of consecutive defeats across all competitions — a rare wobble in Guardiola’s tenure. For Bodo/Glimt, it was a landmark night, their first-ever win in the Champions League league phase.

Guardiola did not hide his frustration afterwards. “The feeling is that everything is going wrong,” he admitted. “We have to change the dynamic quickly.”

City will look to regroup in the Premier League against Wolves this weekend before hosting Galatasaray in a crucial Champions League fixture next week.

As Arsenal surge, Spurs stabilise and City stumble, Tuesday’s action underlined once again the unpredictability — and relentless drama — of Europe’s premier club competition. Photo by Wonker from London, United Kingdom, Wikimedia commons.