Photo File: Viktor Gyokeres

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has expressed renewed hunger for goals following his stunning performance in Tuesday night’s UEFA Champions League clash, where he netted a brace in the Gunners’ 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

The 27-year-old Swede, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon for £58 million ($77 million), ended a seven-game goal drought in emphatic style, bringing his tally for the North London club to five goals since his summer move. Gyokeres had scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 appearances for the Portuguese side prior to his transfer.

Reacting after the match, Gyokeres revealed his determination to take the momentum into the Premier League, starting with this Sunday’s London derby against Crystal Palace.

“I’m more hungry now,” Gyokeres declared. “You always want to contribute with work rate and other stuff, but when you score goals as well, it’s a bit special. So that’s something I always want to do.”

The forward also hailed the team’s chemistry and fighting spirit, which he believes are key to their strong form this season.

“The group we have, and the spirit is something different and something very special.
When you win games and you do these performances, it builds confidence in the team.
The belief has to always be there, but of course this helps to boost it. We just want to keep going like this,” he added.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has been keen to see more from his frontline, praised Gyokeres after the win and challenged him to maintain the scoring form as the Gunners continue their domestic campaign.

The North London outfit remains solid at both ends of the pitch, having won all three of their Champions’ League group matches without conceding. Defensively, Arsenal have shipped only three goals all season, against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester City, with just one of those coming from open play.

Goalkeeper David Raya, who has now kept five consecutive clean sheets, highlighted the importance of defensive discipline in Arsenal’s current form.

“I give clean sheets the same credit as goals,” Raya said. “If we’re keeping clean sheets, it’s going to make games easier to win. It’s really, really important for the whole team, not giving away that many chances and being very, very solid.”

He also praised the tactical depth and flexibility within the squad, citing the impact of players like Mikel Merino, who came off the bench as a forward despite being naturally a midfielder.

“The depth of the squad is incredible. We have a lot of players who can play in two, three or four positions,” Raya noted.
“(Mikel) Merino came on as a striker (against Atletico), but he can play as a number six, eight, or as a number 10, and that is the variety that the boss has, and he is using it to our advantage.
It gives us an extra level in training and in games, because if you are not at it, you can lose your spot, and everybody is on board with that.”

Arsenal, currently top of the Premier League, go into this weekend’s round of fixtures with a three-point cushion over defending champions Manchester City, while Liverpool trails a further point behind in third.