Swedish striker ends goal drought with a brace, earning a standing ovation and his manager’s praise in a dominant Champions League victory.
LONDON – The weight of expectation lifted from Viktor Gyokeres’ shoulders in a flood of relief and celebration on Tuesday night. The Arsenal striker, whose struggle for goals has been a rare concern this season, answered his critics in the perfect fashion, scoring twice in a commanding 4-0 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.
Gyokeres, a £64 million signing, broke a frustrating nine-game scoring drought for both club and country by poaching the team’s third and fourth goals. The Emirates Stadium erupted, and when he was substituted late in the game, the Swede was all smiles as he received a roaring ovation from the home fans—a moment his manager, Mikel Arteta, said was fully deserved.
“I think he deserved it,” Arteta told reporters. “We’ve seen how much he brings to the team and how much he helps us in many areas, even without scoring in recent weeks. There was no debate about that. It was just about him keeping belief in himself.”
Arteta also highlighted the visible joy of Gyokeres’ teammates. “I look at his teammates in the picture and the video, they are all so happy for him,” he added, underscoring the striker’s popularity within the squad.
His first goal was a scrappy affair, a weak shot that took a fortunate deflection and trickled over the line, while his second was a classic set-piece finish, nodding in a headed pass from Gabriel. For a striker in need of a break, both were equally valuable.
“He makes us a much better team. I think we’ve become much more unpredictable,” Arteta said of his forward. “He’s so physical, the way he presses, holds the ball—it’s phenomenal. He’s scored two very different ones today, and hopefully he starts to get some momentum.”
The brace takes Gyokeres’ tally to five for the season, and the relief was palpable. Speaking after the match, which maintained Arsenal’s perfect start in Europe, he shared his satisfaction.
“This is a reward for the team, but of course, for me as well,” Gyokeres said. “I do my best all the time, work hard and contribute in different ways. You always believe the goals will come sooner or later.”
On Tuesday night, for Viktor Gyokeres and a delighted Arsenal, it was finally sooner.
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