Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lauded Viktor Gyokeres for his “outstanding” work rate after the striker brought an end to his nine-game goal drought with a brace against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.Â
The floodgates opened at the Emirates Stadium after Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock with a header in the 57th minute.
Gabriel Martinelli doubled their advantage before Gyokeres score two goals in quick succession as the Gunners blitzed Atleti with a four-goal salvo in a 13-minute period.
“It was a tough match,” Arteta told Amazon Prime after the final whistle. “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.”
Gyokeres had not scored for club or country in the five weeks leading up to Tuesday night’s match. The Sweden international finally opened his Champions League account for Arsenal with a scrappy goal before getting another one in off his thigh from a yard out.
“Delighted as he fully deserved it,” Arteta added. “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.”
Declan Rice provided a beautiful ball from an indirect free-kick for Gabriel to nod home the opener as their supremacy from set pieces continues to pay dividends.
“It was superb,” Arteta added. “We could have scored in the first half but to have that ability to score those types of goals and different players are scoring. We want to continue and improve.”
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