Viktor Gyokeres Shines in Arsenal's Victory Over Atletico Madrid
Viktor Gyokeres ended a nine-game goal drought for both club and country by scoring twice in Arsenal's 4-0 victory against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Following the match, manager Mikel Arteta was quick to commend Gyokeres for his overall contribution.
Arteta expressed that the 27-year-old has made the Gunners "a much better team," noting that his addition has rendered them "much more unpredictable." He highlighted Gyokeres' athleticism and work ethic as key attributes contributing to the team's success.
"His physicality and the way he presses and holds the ball are phenomenal," Arteta remarked after the Champions League match.
The manager's belief that Gyokeres brings more to the team than just goals is supported by statistics, particularly in terms of winning back possession in advanced areas. Gyokeres leads the Premier League in applying 'high pressure' in the final third, with 199 such actions recorded, and he also tops the list for high pressures in the opposition penalty area.
His relentless playing style continues even when Arsenal is in possession, as Gyokeres consistently makes intelligent, probing runs that challenge and stretch opposing defenses. This season, he has made more off-the-ball runs into the penalty area than any other Premier League player.
Additionally, he ranks third for off-the-ball runs aimed at breaking through defensive lines, frequently providing a threatening option for Arsenal's creative players including Martin Odegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi.
Since joining Arsenal this summer, Gyokeres has become the focal point the team often lacked last season, especially during the latter half when they struggled without injured players Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. While Havertz offers aerial prowess, he is not a traditional striker, nor is Jesus, who has often played as a winger since arriving in England. Gyokeres, however, consistently operates as a central forward, having recorded more touches in the opposition box than any other Arsenal player in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Although as a center-forward, Gyokeres will inevitably be judged by his goal tally, it is unreasonable to expect him to replicate his remarkable scoring rate from Portugal, where he netted 97 times in 102 games for Sporting. He has four goals in 11 starts for Arsenal, and maintaining or improving this scoring rate could see him finish the 2025-26 season with at least 20 goals. Such a tally, combined with his all-around performance, would signify a successful inaugural season in London.
Arsenal Target Gyokeres' Size and Power
The sight of Gyokeres scoring two goals in a crucial match is something Arsenal fans have eagerly anticipated since his arrival. One of the reasons for signing Gyokeres was to create space for Arsenal's attacking players like Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli.
This season, Arsenal has adapted their playing style to facilitate quicker transitions, aiming to maximize Gyokeres' size and power as he runs between center-backs.
Before his goals on Tuesday, Gyokeres had not found the net in seven matches across all competitions, and his frustration was evident at times. Arteta has consistently praised Gyokeres whenever possible, and his teammates have expressed their appreciation for his efforts.
While Gyokeres may not always be the most aesthetically pleasing player, the support from his teammates, who rally around him to celebrate with the crowd, indicates their belief in his ability to deliver when it counts.