By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport

Martins scored Inter's third goal

The Italian media has been effusive in its praise of Inter Milan's Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins, who scored the final goal in their 3-0 demolition of Arsenal in Wednesday's Uefa Champions League tie.

"Martins makes Inter forget the missing [Christian] Vieri," said the sport paper Tuttosport.

"[Andy] Van der Meyde with his technical skill, and Martins with his extraordinary velocity, showed their teammates that, as Cuper had wanted, the game was there for the winning.

"The 19-year-old Nigerian seemed born for the Champions League, playing with self-confidence and power."

In the Corriere della Sera, Martin was ranked as Inter's best on-field player in the tie at Arsenal's Highbury ground. Only goalkeeper Francesco Toldo got a better mark.

The 19-year-old Nigerian seemed born for the Champions League Tuttosport

"The 'baby' of the team had an all-African battle with Arsenal's [Kolo] Tour�," the paper observed.

"In the first two encounters, the Arsenal defender bettered him for speed but at the third attempt, Obafemi got the space to shoot past Lehmann.

"Then he did the somersaults, only four, as Cuper had banned them."

La Repubblica praised Martin for his sense of positioning and sharp reflexes, which resulted in his goal.

"Two or three times Martins had gone on a run, and only a formidable Tour� had stopped him, but it was clear that sooner or later he would get through.

"The moment came in the 40th minute, and not using a rash sprint but the move of a true attacker: a feint, dribbling and a shot on the run.

"Arsenal were sunk and neither Bergkamp nor Kanu could put them back on their feet," the paper said.