There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres’ relief was clear as he ended a barren run with two goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Manager Mikel Arteta believes it could mark the beginning of a prolific spell.
Gyokeres, a £64 million summer signing, had scored three goals in his first four matches but then failed to find the net in the next seven, during which he often looked visibly frustrated.
Despite the dry spell, team-mates continued to praise his all-round contribution. Arteta said he hugged the 27-year-old after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday to show appreciation for the effort he was putting in.
Gyokeres has been playing more than initially planned due to a knee injury to Kai Havertz. He has already featured for the full 90 minutes in seven of Arsenal’s opening 12 matches.
However, the powerful striker rediscovered his clinical touch in Tuesday’s convincing win over Atletico. His tally now stands at five goals in 12 games, and Arteta believes the reward was well deserved.
“He deserved it because everything that we were seeing in terms of what he was bringing to the team and how much he was helping the team in many areas, apart from scoring goals in the last few weeks, there was no debate about that,” Arteta said.
“It was about keeping that belief in himself, that emotional state that he can enjoy and play freely. I think he has certainly done that today, a big smile on his face.”
Gyokeres was pushed forward by his team-mates to take the applause from the crowd and perform his trademark celebration alone, a gesture that highlighted the togetherness within the squad.
Arteta said the moment showed just how much the rest of the players value Gyokeres and the improvements he has brought to the team.
“All of us appreciate Gyokeres because he makes us a much better team. I think we have become much more unpredictable,” Arteta said.
“He’s so physical, opens the spaces for everyone. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, it’s just phenomenal. And then the icing on the cake and the biggest thing that we’re going to debate about him is goals.
“He’s scored two very different ones today, and hopefully he starts to get some momentum and a good run of goals.”
Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 games during two prolific seasons at Sporting, and is not used to going long spells without scoring.
Speaking to UEFA after the match, Gyokeres said: “I am very pleased of course. Both goals were great.
“I try to do my best all the time and work hard, contribute with different stuff and the goals would come sooner or later.
“We want to do well, we want to win football matches but there’s a long journey to go. We will take it game by game, even if that sounds boring.”
Arsenal’s emphatic victory over Atletico continues their superb start to the season. The Gunners have now won all three of their group-stage matches in the Champions League without conceding a goal.
They have also won 10 of their 12 matches in all competitions, sit top of the Premier League by three points and have conceded only three goals, the fewest at this stage in the club’s 138-year history.
