Viktor Gyokeres’ restricted targets tally has been well-documented. Earlier than Tuesday’s assembly with Atletico Madrid, it stood at three targets in 11 video games.
That required Mikel Arteta to defend his man final week, crediting the Swede for the house and alternatives he creates for the staff.
The stress upon the 27-year-old has been constructing but Gyokeres confirmed these aspects of his all-round sport once more, however with the added bonus of two targets.
In fact, each fell his approach. The primary trickled in off a defender’s leg, and the second was tapped in off a Declan Rice nook.
Regardless, they required ending, and for a person in determined want of targets, the strikes can have finished him a world of excellent.
Arteta mentioned afterwards: ‘It was about maintaining that perception in himself, that emotional state that he (Gyokeres) can take pleasure in and play freely.
Viktor Gyokeres ended his goalscoring drought by scoring a second-half double
‘He makes us a a lot better staff. I believe we have grow to be way more unpredictable. He is so bodily, open, his face is for everyone. The way in which he presses the ball, holds the ball, that is phenomenal.
‘The largest factor that we’ll debate about him is targets. He is scored two very completely different ones immediately, and hopefully he begins to get some momentum and an excellent run of targets.’
The principle query now could be: can Gyokeres use this brace to correctly unleash himself? Arteta might be hoping so.
No marvel Lewis-Skelly is on Tuchel’s radar
It was the best way Myles Lewis-Skelly effortlessly glided from his personal half, bypassing a few gamers to help Gabriel Martinelli, that confirmed why Thomas Tuchel likes the teen for England.
Begins have been uncommon for the 19-year-old – this Atletico conflict was simply his third in 12 matches this season.
But, when he’s given the nod, similar to he did in opposition to Olympiacos three weeks in the past, the total again steps up.
Right here, he put in one other assured show. Lewis-Skelly had a shot dragged simply huge early on, and after that slotted in seamlessly.
Regardless of the shortage of minutes, his capability to hit the bottom operating when required is spectacular.
Arteta was filled with reward, saying: ‘When you have a look at it from what he is finished from December final yr to now, at his age, at this degree, he is unimaginable. However I mentioned it earlier than, he is been actually targeted, actually humble and actually good.
Myles Lewis-Skelly proved his value after being given a uncommon alternative to shine for Arsenal
‘And when that occurs and you must play, you might be prepared and I assumed he was actually good immediately.’
Defensively, he has good positioning. It is in assault the place he has additional developed from final season.
He seems to be for extra crosses and tried to influence play within the ultimate third with intent.
Arteta has a conundrum on his fingers. Riccardo Calafiori is a high-quality participant in his personal proper, however Lewis-Skelly wants minutes to remain in England World Cup squad competition.
Both approach, the Arsenal full-back depth is mightily spectacular.
Arteta vs Simeone touchline antics had been a sight
The jack-in-the-box touchline routines of Arteta had been matched, after which some.
Diego Simeone’s animated grumblings made Arteta look quite regular compared. That takes some doing.
From the off, the Argentine paced up and down the touchline, relentlessly screaming at his gamers. A block by Lewis-Skelly within the first 10 minutes noticed Simeone up shut and private with fourth official Matteo Marcenaro.
Mikel Arteta received the higher of managerial rival Diego Simeone with a thumping 4-0 victory
His gestures received Arteta going, with the Spaniard more and more verbal, as if to match his reverse quantity.
Finger pointing, arms waving aggressively within the air and bellowing had been all a part of the bundle.
This sport pitted Arteta and Simeone in opposition to one another for the primary time; observing the touchline was a deal with in itself.
The Arsenal boss has a lot respect for Simeone, describing him as a supervisor he ‘seems to be as much as’ however he outsmarted him on the Emirates.
Arsenal are actual Champions League contenders
Three wins from their three Champions League matches to date, with zero targets conceded.
After reaching the semi-finals final season, and the quarter-finals the season earlier than, Arsenal are setting a marker.
Solely the Gunners and Inter Milan stay are but to concede within the competitors this season.
The north London membership’s defensive solidity is well-documented, sure, nevertheless it’s their capability to attain which is proving so menacing for opponents.
Declan Rice’s set items may show to be pivotal if Arsenal are to win the Champions League
It’s now eight targets in three matches, with scoring probabilities missed within the course of.
It is nonetheless early, however Arsenal are actual Champions League contenders. Simply reaching the semis wouldn’t be felt as a hit by Arteta this time round.
He and his staff know they’ve an actual shot at severe silverware, together with this competitors.
With a defensive bedrock and targets coming from completely different avenues — Declan Rice’s set-pieces supplied two targets in opposition to Atletico — Arteta has the ammunition to trigger Europe’s greatest main issues.
They may take some stopping — and are not even in high gear but.
