Mikel Arteta said he was “delighted” for Viktor Gyokeres after the Sweden international ended a seven-game goal drought in Arsenal’s 4–0 demolition of Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium.
The game was finely balanced at half-time, but once Gabriel nodded home Declan Rice’s teasing free-kick, the floodgates opened.
In the space of 13 second-half minutes, the Gunners scored four times — Gabriel Martinelli curling home after a driving run from Myles Lewis-Skelly before Gyokeres, like a man who thought he’d lost his keys only to discover the door was never locked in the first place, bundled in a scruffy brace to cap a lively display.
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video Sport, Arteta said: “It was a tough match. After the goal they opened up a bit and it was a little easier for us to find the spaces. Very happy with the result.
“At this level in the Champions League you really need to step up and we certainly did that in every phase of the play. Very happy.”
On Gyokeres finding the net again, he added: “Delighted, as he fully deserved it. The work rate he brings to the team is outstanding.
“We value a lot of things that he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today – and look at his team-mates.
“Hopefully, this is the start of some beautiful sequences.”
The result marked Arsenal’s third consecutive Champions League group win without conceding, keeping them level on points with Inter Milan and PSG, who hold a marginally better goal difference.
Domestically, they’re also three points clear at the top of the Premier League, and form looks strong across the board.
“It creates a better cohesion between ourselves and supporters,” said Arteta of the win.
“Belief is huge in sport. Let’s focus on Sunday now.”
The post “The biggest smile on his face” – Arteta revels in Gyokeres brace appeared first on Arseblog News – the Arsenal news site.
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