“give me a lever and a fulcrum and I will move the world”he assured Archimedes. That’s what you must have thought Mikel Arteta When appointing the role of Viktor Gyökeres (Estocolmo, 1998) in the semi-final return against Atlético (1-0).
The ex of Sporting CPsigned last summer in exchange for 66.9 million of euros, became the fulcrum on which they pivoted majority of Arsenal attacks. He received long-term shipments backwards Saliba and Magalhaesfor the most part, and downloaded to continue the game.
Arsenal 1-0 Atlético de Madrid Champions League Summary
He swedish international, that already scored a penalty in the first leg, asserted his 189 centimeters to prevail over Le Normand, Hanko and Pubill. He was, in fact, the player who most fouls received (3) and forced the yellow to Pub. Not only that. He played a key role in the 1-0. He received Saliba’s space and served the center to the area which led to the Trossard’s shot and Saka’s subsequent goal.
“It was immense. You could see the reaction of the public every time he had the ball. His dedication, what he contributed to the team, was simply incredible,” he highlighted. Arteta in defense of the most criticized player in the game Arsenal so far this course.
It was immense. You could see the crowd’s reaction every time he had the ball.
Little by little, the Swede has begun to impose himself with his game… and with goals. Their 20 goals They make him the only player, alongside Thierry Henry (1999-00) and Alexis Sánchez (2014-15)which has scored 20 or more goals in your first season with the Arsenal.
Arsenal 1-0 Atlético de Madrid Champions League Summary
In 2026 it has gone ‘in crescendo’: Only Kane (24), Vinicius (16) and Lamine Yamal (15) have scored more goals than ‘Gyö’ (14) so far this year. “You get used to the routine and daily work and, of course, also on the field, playing alongside your teammates match after match. I think I have been improving and, yes, I have achieved it,” he says when referring to his moment of form.
“I have been saying for many that we need a forward. When we sign one, people say: ‘It’s not good enough’. His 21 goals —12 of them in the Premier League— show that he has fulfilled his mission”he claims Ian Wright, former legend of Arsenal.
His ‘dark work’ against Atlético, paradoxically, shined more than his goals. “I must give a lot of credit to Gyokeres. The way the team uses him. He knows how to use his strength, retains the ball and presses all over the field”he remarked Thierry Henry.
His 21 goals show that he has fulfilled his mission
“Gyökeres is not so striking like other forwards in the world, but he does all the dirty work. “He played a fundamental role in the victory against Atlético,” he insists. Wayne Rooney.
“For me, Gyokeres was Arsenal’s best player. He caused Atlético a lot of problems and relieved the pressure on Arsenal’s defense. He did it all, and “His performance tonight is a clear example of why Arsenal signed him,” remark Daniel Sturridge. Arteta has found his ‘lever’ to move the Champions League.
