🔗 Share this article

Should Viktor Gyökeres goes on to become the striker that each Arsenal followers have been wishing for, then possibly they will reflect on this night as the point his destiny shifted. In keeping with the timeless attacker’s creed, it makes no difference how they hit the back of the net.

On the back of nine matches for club and country without a goal and expectations rising on the man brought in for a substantial sum in the summer, a massive sense of release washed over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres tapped in from close range via a ricochet off David Hancko during a pulsating second half when Mikel Arteta’s side showed again that they mean business this season.

Dramatic Turnaround in Fortune

Less than three minutes later and to the excitement of the home faithful, his Bane-inspired gesture borrowed from the antagonist Bane in Batman, whose catchphrase is “I was ignored before the mask,” was showcased again after bundling over from Gabriel Magalhães’s header following a Declan Rice corner to complete the rout against Atlético Madrid. On the sidelines, Arteta raised his fists and gestured animatedly in the direction of his star striker, of whom he has spent the last fortnight insisting the finest displays lay ahead.

“Such is soccer, and we must not assume a player to switch environments and have him do the same thing instantly,” the Arsenal manager said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca ahead of the fixture. “Things are very different. All players in the world need one thing: their mental condition to be at its best. I told Viktor in our introductory chat that the striker I sought for Arsenal was someone who could hold up mentally when they faced a goal drought without scoring. Otherwise, you’re not suited at this level. That’s why I have a lot of faith in him.”

Early Challenges

Back in his early teens playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are located in Stockholm’s southern suburbs, that Gyökeres first realised he would have to toughen up to make it in his vocation. Criticised after a disappointing display by a coach who said he didn’t have the mentality to excel in top-level football, he ultimately switched from a wide player into a striker after signing for Brommapojkarna two years later. “That comment resonated and I still remember it today,” he said not long ago.

Challenging Spell

Having failed to score since the victory against Nottingham Forest here back on 13 September, this has been one of the toughest stretches of his professional life. Gyökeres was heavily criticised after Sweden were defeated by Kosovo and Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers in the past fortnight, with one newspaper labeling his display against the latter as “invisible.”

He recorded an incredible 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions for Sporting last season, so the issue is evidently not his finishing. As Arteta has frequently pointed out, his complete game has added a new layer in the final third, even if the chances have not been in his favor.

Game Analysis

This was certainly in evidence during the opening period of this elite matchup between two teams that had originally looked evenly matched. There was a sense that Gyökeres was trying too hard to make an impact as he ran aggressively like a force of nature during the beginning phase. An Eberechi Eze shot that deflected on to the bar inside the first few moments was set up by some sharp footwork on the edge of the Atlético area that skillfully evaded from his defender, José María Giménez.

The Uruguayan has the aura of a man who could start a fight in an empty bar but is vastly experienced at this standard compared with Gyökeres, who is playing in only his second Champions League campaign after scoring a hat-trick for Sporting against Manchester City last season that must have gone a long way to persuading Arteta to make the move.

Unyielding Drive

However having drawn comments that he was overweight after missing most of pre-season in Portugal, Arsenal’s noticeably leaner striker chased down every ball as if his career hung in the balance. Giménez was tricked into conceding a yellow card when Gyökeres made contact on the edge of the Atlético area having merely stood his ground. Gabriel Martinelli saw his goal ruled out for offside after tapping in Bukayo Saka’s cross and it wasn’t until after the break that the Swede had his opening chance.

A sumptuous flick from Martinelli provided a golden opportunity, only for Jan Oblak to promptly save an unconvincing toe-poke towards goal. At that stage it must have seemed as if the first score would not arrive. But the goals flowed when Gabriel nodded in Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was ready to capitalize as the man in the mask made his mark. “Hopefully this is the commencement of a prolific period,” said a delighted Arteta.