Viktor Gyokeres has said it is ‘exciting times’ at Arsenal have the club secured progress to the Champions League’s last 16.
Arsenal became the first team to complete the league phase with a perfect record, having won all eight games to ease into the knockout stages.
Gyokeres scored the opener as the Gunners beat Kairat Almaty 3-2 on Wednesday night to conclude their league phase campaign.
The Swedish striker has scored four goals in five Champions League starts this season and picked out his highlight of the league phase.
Forward momentum ✊ pic.twitter.com/mTxMOC3Auj
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 28, 2026
He said the wins over Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid have increased confidence that Arsenal can go deep into the tournament.
“I think the Inter game was great, and I think Atletico Madrid at home, one of those [would be my highlight]. It’s always fun when you come to the knockout phase, and to get closer to where we want to end in this tournament, so it’s exciting times.”
On the win over Kairat, Gyokeres said he was delighted to get on the scoresheet but insists he always demands more from himself.
“It’s a great feeling to score goals, and to help the team,” he added. “I think we could’ve performed better overall in the game, but of course I’m always happy with scoring.”
Arsenal will face either Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund or Olympiacos in the last 16, depending on Friday’s draw and who progresses from the play-off round.
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