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Should Viktor Gyökeres develops into the attacker that each Arsenal supporters have been hoping for, then perhaps they will recall this night as the juncture his fortune shifted. According to the classic forward’s saying, it isn’t important how they find the net.

Following a streak of nine matches for Arsenal and Sweden without a goal and expectations rising on the man acquired for a hefty fee in the offseason, a massive sense of release swept over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres guided in from near distance via a deflection off David Hancko during a electrifying second half when Mikel Arteta’s side showed again that they are serious contenders this season.

Stunning Reversal in Form

Less than three minutes later and to the joy of the home faithful, his mask celebration modeled after the character Bane in Batman, whose famous line is “nobody cared until I put on the mask,” was repeated once more after bundling over from Gabriel Magalhães’s header following a Declan Rice corner to complete the rout against Atlético Madrid. Down on the touchline, Arteta celebrated wildly and signaled enthusiastically in the direction of his star striker, of whom he has spent the last fortnight insisting the best was yet to come.

“That’s the game, and we can’t expect a player to switch environments and have him replicate his form immediately,” the Arsenal manager said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca prior to the match. “Things are very different. Every footballer globally need one thing: their mental condition to be at its best. I told Viktor in our introductory chat that the No 9 I desired at Arsenal was someone who could hold up mentally when they went six or eight games without scoring. Otherwise, you’re not good enough at this tier. That’s why I have a lot of faith in him.”

Formative Hurdles

When he was just 14 playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are based in Stockholm’s outskirts, that Gyökeres first understood he would have to build resilience to thrive in his chosen profession. Rebuked after a disappointing display by a coach who said he lacked the mindset to make it in top-level football, he ultimately switched from a flank attacker into a striker after signing for Brommapojkarna two years later. “That comment resonated and I recall it now,” he said not long ago.

Difficult Phase

Without a goal since the triumph over Nottingham Forest at home back on 13 September, this has been one of the toughest stretches of his professional life. Gyökeres was widely panned after Sweden were overcome by Kosovo and Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers in the previous 14 days, with one newspaper describing his performance against the latter as “invisible.”

He managed an astounding 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions for Sporting last season, so the difficulty is obviously not his goal conversion. In line with the coach’s repeated comments, his complete game has provided additional depth in the final third, even if the opportunities have not come to him.

Key Moments

This was plainly visible during the first half of this high‑quality encounter between two teams that had originally looked evenly matched. There was a feeling that Gyökeres was trying too hard to impress as he charged around like a bull in a china shop during the beginning phase. An Eberechi Eze shot that bounced on to the bar inside the opening five minutes was originated from some sharp footwork on the edge of the Atlético area that cleverly escaped from his opponent, José María Giménez.

Giménez has the reputation of a man who could create tension effortlessly but is vastly experienced at this stage compared with Gyökeres, who is playing in only his second Champions League campaign after bagging a triple for Sporting against Manchester City last season that probably significantly contributed to persuading Arteta to take the plunge.

Unyielding Drive

However having faced scrutiny that he was carrying a few too many pounds after being absent for preparations in Portugal, Arsenal’s considerably trimmer striker pursued each opportunity as if his future was at stake. Giménez was fooled into conceding a yellow card when Gyökeres collided with him on the edge of the Atlético area having only been stationary. Gabriel Martinelli saw his attempt canceled for offside after tapping in Bukayo Saka’s cross and it only came in the second half that the Swede had his opening chance.

A exquisite touch from Martinelli created an ideal chance, only for Jan Oblak to swiftly block an hesitant shot towards goal. At that point it must have felt like the breakthrough would never come. But the floodgates opened when Gabriel nodded in Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was able to take full advantage as the man in the mask made his mark. “Hopefully this is the commencement of a prolific period,” said a delighted Arteta.