Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Viktor Gyokeres for his “excellent” work rate after the striker ended his nine-match goal drought with a brace against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
The floodgates opened at the Emirates Stadium after Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock with a header in the 57th minute.
Gabriel Martinelli doubled their lead before Gyokeres scored two goals in quick succession as the Gunners hammered Atleti with a volley of four goals 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 we were able to find the spaces a little easier. Very happy with the result.”
“At this level in the Champions League you really have to go the extra mile and we certainly did that at every stage of the game. 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 sloppy goal before slotting in another through his thigh from a yard out.
“Happy because he fully deserved it,” Arteta added. “The work rate he brings to the team is excellent.
“We appreciate a lot of things he does for the team and it was the biggest smile on his face today and look at his teammates.
“Hopefully this is the start of some great 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 fantastic,” Arteta added. “We could have scored in the first half, but then we have the ability to score those kinds of goals and different players score. We want to continue and improve.”
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