There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres’ relief was palpable as he finally rediscovered his scoring touch, netting twice in Arsenal’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Atletico Madrid. The £64 million summer signing, who had endured a frustrating seven-game spell without a goal, looked reinvigorated as he led the line with renewed confidence and energy.
After a bright start to life in North London—scoring three goals in his first four matches—Gyokeres’ barren run had raised questions among some observers. Yet, his teammates and manager Mikel Arteta remained steadfast in their support, praising his tireless work rate and unselfish contributions. Arteta revealed that he had embraced the striker following Arsenal’s previous win over West Ham, commending his commitment and perseverance despite the lack of goals.
The 27-year-old Swede has shouldered a heavy workload this season, playing more minutes than initially planned due to Kai Havertz’s knee injury. Featuring for the full 90 minutes in seven of Arsenal’s opening twelve games, Gyokeres’ effort and professionalism have drawn admiration from within the camp—and his brace against Atletico seems to mark the beginning of a much-anticipated turnaround.
Arteta: ‘He Makes Us a Much Better Team’
Manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his striker after the Champions League triumph, describing Gyokeres as a transformative presence in Arsenal’s attacking setup. “He makes us a much better team,” Arteta said with conviction. “We’ve become much more unpredictable with him. He’s so physical, opens up spaces for others, presses the ball relentlessly, and holds it up brilliantly.”
Arteta emphasized that even during the goal drought, there was “no debate” about the striker’s value to the team. His ability to create opportunities for others and destabilize defences, the manager said, was central to Arsenal’s fluid style of play. “He deserved this because of everything he’s been giving us in recent weeks,” Arteta added. “It was just about maintaining that belief and emotional freedom to enjoy the game.”
The Spaniard pointed to the moment when Gyokeres’ teammates urged him to soak in the fans’ applause and perform his trademark celebration alone—a touching gesture that highlighted the togetherness within the Arsenal squad. “That says it all,” Arteta smiled. “The players wanted him to have that moment because they all know how much he gives to the team.”
The Icing on the Cake: Rediscovering His Goalscoring Touch
Gyokeres’ two goals against Atletico were a reminder of the clinical forward Arsenal believed they were signing from Sporting CP. The first came from his trademark movement and strength in the box, while the second showcased his composure and finishing precision. For Arteta, the goals were not just a reward for Gyokeres’ persistence—they were a statement of intent.
“The goals are the icing on the cake,” Arteta said. “He’s done everything else brilliantly, and now he’s getting the goals to match. Hopefully, this will give him momentum to go on a good run.” The Arsenal boss also hinted at the striker’s growing confidence, noting the “big smile” on his face and the visible relief among his teammates.
With his tally now at five goals in twelve appearances, Gyokeres appears poised to build on his rediscovered form as Arsenal continue their strong start to the season. The performance against Atletico could mark the turning point in his early Arsenal career—one that validates Arteta’s faith in his big-money summer acquisition.
Gyokeres Reflects: ‘A Long Journey to Go’
Speaking to UEFA after the match, Gyokeres expressed both relief and determination. “I am very pleased, of course. Both my goals were great,” he said with a grin. “I try to do my best all the time, work hard, contribute in different ways—and the goals were always going to come sooner or later.”
The Swede, who scored an astonishing 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting before his Premier League move, admitted he is unaccustomed to long dry spells but remains focused on the bigger picture. “We want to win matches, we want to keep improving. There’s a long journey to go,” he said. “We’ll take it game by game, even if that sounds boring.”
His calm and mature approach reflects the mindset that Arteta often emphasizes—consistency, patience, and collective effort over individual milestones. For Gyokeres, the Atletico performance is both a personal breakthrough and a reaffirmation of Arsenal’s attacking identity.
Arsenal’s Momentum Continues
Arsenal’s victory over Atletico Madrid was not only a personal triumph for Gyokeres but also a statement of the club’s growing dominance this season. The Gunners have now won all three of their Champions League group matches without conceding a goal—an impressive defensive record that mirrors their domestic form.
In all competitions, Arsenal have claimed ten wins from twelve matches, sitting atop the Premier League table by three points. Remarkably, they have conceded only three goals all season—the fewest at this stage in the club’s 138-year history. Arteta’s side have struck a near-perfect balance between attacking flair and defensive discipline.
With confidence surging and key players finding form, Arsenal now turn their attention to Crystal Palace on Sunday. For Gyokeres, the next challenge is clear: to maintain his scoring rhythm and continue being, in Arteta’s words, “the player who makes Arsenal a much better team.”
