Arsenal boss drops powerful statement on out-of-form star after stunning display
Mikel Arteta has praised Viktor Gyökeres after Arsenal’s convincing 4–0 victory over Atlético Madrid. The Swedish striker ended his long wait for a goal in an impressive second-half display.
The match began with both sides being cautious in possession. Atlético kept their shape well, while Arsenal struggled to break them down.
However, the London side came out in the second half with far more intensity and confidence.
Gabriel Magalhães opened the scoring shortly after the restart. His header from a corner gave the Gunners the lead they had been looking for. That goal shifted the momentum completely in Arsenal’s favour.
Moments later, Gabriel Martinelli doubled the advantage with a smart finish following a swift counter-attack. Arsenal then took full control of the game, pressing higher and forcing errors from the Spanish visitors.
Gyökeres, who joined Arsenal during the summer, scored twice to seal the victory. The forward had been under pressure after going seven matches without finding the net.
His brace was a welcome relief and a confidence booster for both him and the team.
Arteta delighted with striker’s performance
After the match, Arteta expressed his joy at the striker’s performance while speaking to Amazon Prime.
“I am delighted for Viktor. The work rate and everything he brings to the team, he deserves a goal,” Arteta said.
He added, “We brought him here to score and his demands on himself are very high, but we value a lot of the things he does for the team.”
The Arsenal boss continued, “You can see the smile on his face. He is used to scoring so many over the last two years – so hopefully it is the start of a beautiful run.”
Arteta’s remarks reflect his belief in the Swedish forward, whose energy and movement were key to the team’s attacking flow.
The brace will also ease the pressure on Gyökeres after a challenging few weeks in front of goal.
The win serves as a strong statement for Arsenal, who look eager to build momentum after an uneven run of form.
The Gunners will now shift their attention to the Premier League, where they face Crystal Palace next at the Emirates Stadium. A victory there would further boost their confidence heading into a busy period of fixtures.
The post Arsenal boss drops powerful statement on out-of-form star after stunning display first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.