Viktor Gyokeres ended a nine-game goal drought with a quickfire brace in Arsenal’s 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid. The Swedish striker’s timely return to form silenced recent criticism and vindicated manager Mikel Arteta’s unwavering faith.
Viktor Gyokeres emphatically answered his critics, netting a quickfire brace as Arsenal demolished Atletico Madrid 4-0 in a blistering second-half display at the Emirates Stadium. The Swedish striker’s goals ended a prolonged nine-game drought that had cast doubt over his credentials as Arsenal’s marquee striker, a concern lingering since his high-profile summer arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Timely Return to Form
Gyokeres’ lack of goals had been one of the few clouds over Arsenal’s otherwise stellar start to the season. Signed for a hefty £64 million, the Swede was brought in to inject finishing prowess into the squad. While his off-the-ball work, pressing, and build-up play had garnered praise from manager Mikel Arteta and teammates, the primary expectation was goals—a commodity that had dried up across his previous nine appearances for club and country.
His return to scoring form couldn’t have been more timely or dramatic. In a 13-minute blitz around the hour mark, goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli opened the floodgates before Gyokeres struck twice: first with a deflected finish and then bundling in a corner, showcasing both perseverance and opportunism.
Conquering Criticism
The goal drought brought Gyokeres increasing scrutiny, both externally and within Arsenal’s fanbase. However, insiders and pundits such as Rio Ferdinand urged patience, emphasizing his broader contribution and work ethic. Arteta, meanwhile, unwaveringly supported his striker, stating, “The striker I want is one who can withstand a drought of six to eight games without scoring… the pressure and expectations are inherent in this role,” reflecting belief that Gyokeres would eventually deliver.
Teammates maintained faith in his abilities and highlighted Gyokeres’ mental fortitude throughout the barren spell. Fresh off a record-breaking season in Portugal last year, where he netted 54 goals for Sporting CP, the expectation for instant impact in England was immense. Yet, a striker’s role is about more than goals: Gyokeres’ physicality, movement, and link-up play have made Arsenal’s attack more unpredictable-a view echoed by Arteta and the dressing room.
Social Media Reaction
Following the perfect night, Arsenal fans were quick to praise Gyokeres and hit out at critics. Check out some of the reactions:
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Arteta’s Vision Vindicated
Following the win, Arteta hailed Gyokeres’ performance as “outstanding”.
“We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today and look at his team-mates…hopefully this is the start of some beautiful sequences”, Arteta said. The manager’s faith in keeping Gyokeres in the lineup during his goal drought now stands as a masterstroke.
The Emirates crowd responded in kind, greeting his substitution with a standing ovation as his brace powered Arsenal to three wins in three Champions League ties, maintaining a perfect defensive record alongside PSG and Inter Milan atop the group.