Arsenal: Has Viktor Gyokeres proved his critics wrong?

When Gyokeres opened the scoring in the ninth minute at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, it brought up his 20th goal of the season and made him the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals across all competitions in their first season at the club since Alexis Sanchez in 2014-15 (25 goals).

It has been a pivotal week for the forward with his performance in the Champions League setting Arsenal up nicely for the second leg against Atletico on Tuesday.

Saturday was also the first time that he has scored a goal and provided an assist in the first half of a league match since joining Arsenal.

“He had a great performance,” manager Mikel Arteta said when asked about Gyokeres’ impact this week.

“I think in Madrid, especially the first half, he was really good, and today, all the minutes that he’s played as well, his contribution with the goals…

“Every attacking action he was involved – scored two great goals. Position-wise, timing-wise as well – it’s something that we’ve been working on.

“It’s going to give him a big boost of energy to him and confidence to the team as well.”

Bukayo Saka was back to his best after making his first start since March after an Achilles problem, and, alongside his goal to double Arsenal‘s lead, he assisted Gyokeres’ opener, the first time the winger has assisted the Swede in the Premier League.

Arteta acknowledged that the pair “haven’t played together much” because of injuries, but there were signs the pair could be clicking at the perfect time.

“I have liked Gyokeres all season,” former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Match of the Day.

“I think he does so well for the team. He occupies defenders and I think his goal tally has been good this season. This is when you need him now, during the run-in.

“This is what you need when you bring a number nine into the club. This is when you need them most.”

It was also the first time Gyokeres has been involved in three goals in a match for Arsenal.

“The best I have seen him play. He reminded me of a [Erling] Haaland,” former Arsenal player Paul Merson said on Sky Sports.

“I thought the players trusted him a lot more.

“I have given him a lot of stick. If they win the league, he has been a brilliant buy. If they don’t, maybe he hasn’t.

“He was put in the team to make sure they beat the lesser teams, and he has done. You want your striker to get 20 goals and he has done that.

“He was really good today and that is what they bought him for. Those performances haven’t been there week in and week out, but if they are for the next four weeks – then money back.”