Viktor Gyokeres’ limited goals tally has been well-documented. Before Tuesday’s meeting with Atletico Madrid, it stood at three goals in 11 games.
That required Mikel Arteta to defend his man last week, crediting the Swede for the space and opportunities he creates for the team.
The pressure upon the 27-year-old has been building yet Gyokeres showed those facets of his all-round game again, but with the added bonus of two goals.
In truth, both fell his way. The first trickled in off a defender’s leg, and the second was tapped in off a Declan Rice corner.
Regardless, they required finishing, and for a man in desperate need of goals, the strikes will have done him a world of good.
Arteta said afterwards: ‘It was about keeping that belief in himself, that emotional state that he (Gyokeres) can enjoy and play freely.
Viktor Gyokeres ended his goalscoring drought by scoring a second-half double
‘He makes us a much better team. I think we’ve become much more unpredictable. He’s so physical, open, his face is for everybody. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, that’s phenomenal.
‘The biggest thing that we’re going to debate about him is goals. He’s scored two very different ones today, and hopefully he starts to get some momentum and a good run of goals.’
The main question now is: can Gyokeres use this brace to properly unleash himself? Arteta will be hoping so.
No wonder Lewis-Skelly is on Tuchel’s radar
It was the way Myles Lewis-Skelly effortlessly glided from his own half, bypassing a couple of players to assist Gabriel Martinelli, that showed why Thomas Tuchel likes the youngster for England.
Starts have been rare for the 19-year-old – this Atletico clash was just his third in 12 matches this season.
Yet, when he is given the nod, just like he did against Olympiacos three weeks ago, the full back steps up.
Here, he put in another assured display. Lewis-Skelly had a shot dragged just wide early on, and after that slotted in seamlessly.
No matter the lack of minutes, his ability to hit the ground running when required is impressive.
Arteta was full of praise, saying: ‘If you look at it from what he’s done from December last year to now, at his age, at this level, he’s incredible. But I said it before, he’s been really focused, really humble and really good.
Myles Lewis-Skelly proved his worth after being given a rare opportunity to shine for Arsenal
‘And when that happens and you have to play, you are ready and I thought he was really good today.’
Defensively, he has good positioning. It’s in attack where he has further developed from last season.
He looks for more crosses and tried to impact play in the final third with intent.
Arteta has a conundrum on his hands. Riccardo Calafiori is a fine player in his own right, but Lewis-Skelly needs minutes to stay in England World Cup squad contention.
Either way, the Arsenal full-back depth is mightily impressive.
Arteta vs Simeone touchline antics were a sight
The jack-in-the-box touchline routines of Arteta had been matched, and then some.
Diego Simeone’s animated grumblings made Arteta look rather normal in comparison. That takes some doing.
From the off, the Argentine paced up and down the touchline, relentlessly screaming at his players. A block by Lewis-Skelly in the first 10 minutes saw Simeone up close and personal with fourth official Matteo Marcenaro.
Mikel Arteta got the better of managerial rival Diego Simeone with a thumping 4-0 victory
His gestures got Arteta going, with the Spaniard increasingly verbal, as if to match his opposite number.
Finger pointing, arms waving aggressively in the air and bellowing were all part of the package.
This game pitted Arteta and Simeone against each other for the first time; observing the touchline was a treat in itself.
The Arsenal boss has much respect for Simeone, describing him as a manager he ‘looks up to’ but he outsmarted him at the Emirates.
Arsenal are real Champions League contenders
Three wins from their three Champions League matches thus far, with zero goals conceded.
After reaching the semi-finals last season, and the quarter-finals the season before, Arsenal are setting a marker.
Only the Gunners and Inter Milan remain are yet to concede in the competition this season.
The north London club’s defensive solidity is well-documented, yes, but it’s their ability to score which is proving so menacing for opponents.
Declan Rice’s set pieces could prove to be pivotal if Arsenal are to win the Champions League
It is now eight goals in three matches, with scoring chances missed in the process.
It’s still early, but Arsenal are real Champions League contenders. Just reaching the semis would not be felt as a success by Arteta this time around.
He and his team know they have a real shot at serious silverware, including this competition.
With a defensive bedrock and goals coming from different avenues — Declan Rice’s set-pieces provided two goals against Atletico — Arteta has the ammunition to cause Europe’s best major problems.
They will take some stopping — and aren’t even in top gear yet.
