Gyokeres makes Arsenal ‘much better’ as drought ends, says Arteta

There’s never a bad time for a striker to score, but after a barren run, Viktor Gyokeres was clearly relieved to score a double in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Manager Mikel Arteta believes this could also be the start of a more productive period.

After three goals in his first four games, £64m signing Gyokeres failed to score in Arsenal’s next eight games and was visibly frustrated at times.

But his team-mates continued to praise his overall impact and Arteta said he hugged the striker to recognize his efforts after Arsenal beat West Ham 2-0 on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has been forced to play more than planned at this stage of the season due to a knee injury to Kai Havertz, who played the full 90 minutes seven times in Arsenal’s first 12 games.

But Gyokeres, who scored twice in Tuesday’s big win against Atletico, now has five goals in 12 games and his manager believes they are a reward for his perseverance.

“He deserved it because in everything we saw about what he brought to the team and how much he helped the team in so many areas, there was no debate about that other than the goals he scored in the last few weeks,” Arteta said.

“It was about maintaining his belief in himself, the emotional state in which he could enjoy and play freely.

“I think he definitely did that today. [he had] a big smile on his face.

“Look at his teammates too, in the picture and in the video they are all so happy for him because he totally deserves it.”