There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres’ relief was evident as he finally ended his goal drought in Arsenal’s emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.
The Swedish forward, who joined Arsenal for £64 million over the summer, had failed to find the net in seven consecutive matches after scoring three goals in his first four appearances. The dry spell had been a source of visible frustration, but Gyokeres’ persistence finally paid off with a confidence-boosting brace at the Emirates Stadium.
Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight for the 27-year-old, describing the goals as a deserved reward for his relentless effort and contribution to the team’s overall play.
“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.
The Arsenal boss added that maintaining belief and emotional balance was key for the striker during the lean period. “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, [he had] a big smile on his face,” Arteta said, emphasizing the striker’s mental resilience.
Gyokeres’ teammates were equally thrilled to see him back among the goals. The post-match celebrations showed a collective sense of joy and relief, reflecting the unity within the squad. “Look at his team-mates as well, in the picture and the video—they are all so happy for him because he fully deserves it,” Arteta remarked.
The forward has featured more prominently than initially planned, filling in for Kai Havertz, who has been sidelined with a knee injury. Gyokeres has already played the full 90 minutes in seven of Arsenal’s opening 12 matches, a demanding schedule for a player still adapting to life in the Premier League.
Despite his earlier struggles in front of goal, Gyokeres’ all-round performances have drawn praise for his pressing, link-up play, and work rate—attributes Arteta values highly in his system. His double against Atletico now takes his season tally to five goals in 12 matches, restoring confidence both for the player and for Arsenal’s attacking setup.
The win over Atletico also highlighted Arsenal’s growing consistency under Arteta, with the team maintaining its unbeaten record at home this season. As the Gunners continue to challenge for the top spot, Gyokeres’ return to form could not have come at a better time.
For Arsenal fans and Arteta alike, the hope is that Tuesday’s performance marks the start of a prolific run for Gyokeres—one that reinforces his reputation as a decisive force in front of goal.
