Viktor Gyokeres Shines in Arsenal's Victory Over Atletico Madrid
There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres' relief after netting a double in Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid was palpable. Manager Mikel Arteta believes this could mark the beginning of a more prolific scoring phase for the player.
After starting the season with three goals in his first four matches, the £64 million signing Gyokeres experienced a frustrating eight-game goal drought. His frustration was evident at times during this period.
Despite this, his teammates consistently praised his overall contributions, and Arteta expressed his appreciation by embracing Gyokeres following Arsenal's 2-0 win against West Ham last Saturday, acknowledging the effort he had been putting in.
The 27-year-old has had to take on more responsibility than anticipated due to a knee injury sustained by Kai Havertz, having played 90 minutes in seven of Arsenal's first 12 matches this season.
However, after scoring twice in the emphatic win over Atletico, Gyokeres has now tallied five goals in 12 matches. Arteta believes these goals are a well-deserved reward for his persistence.
"He deserved it because of everything he has brought to the team, contributing in various ways beyond just scoring in recent weeks. There was no question about that," Arteta stated. "It was important for him to maintain belief in himself and enjoy the game freely. Today, he certainly did that, and you could see the joy on his face. His teammates were equally thrilled for him, as he truly deserves it."
Gyokeres was encouraged by his teammates to take center stage and perform his signature celebration, highlighting the unity within the Arsenal squad.
Arteta noted that this gesture reflects the respect and appreciation the players have for Gyokeres, saying, "We all value Gyokeres because he makes us a much better team. We have become more unpredictable with him on the field. His physicality opens spaces for others, and his ball control and pressing are phenomenal. The goals are the icing on the cake, and the most significant aspect we will discuss about him moving forward is his scoring ability. He scored two very different goals today, and I hope he can build on this momentum for a good run of goals."
Gyokeres, who scored 97 goals in 102 matches during his two seasons with Sporting in Portugal, is not accustomed to lengthy stretches without adding to his tally. Reflecting on his performance, he told UEFA, "I am very pleased, of course. Both of my goals were great. I always strive to do my best, work hard, and contribute in various ways, and I believe the goals will come eventually. We are focused on winning matches, but there is still a long journey ahead. We will take it one game at a time, even if that sounds boring."
The victory over Atletico Madrid continues Arsenal's impressive start to the season, with the Gunners winning all three of their Champions League matches without conceding a goal. They have won 10 of their 12 matches across all competitions this season, sitting atop the Premier League with a three-point lead and having conceded only three goals— the fewest at this stage in the club's 138-year history. Arsenal's next challenge comes against Crystal Palace on Sunday.