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If Viktor Gyökeres transforms into the attacker that each Arsenal followers have been hoping for, then possibly they will reflect on this night as the moment his destiny changed. As the old striker’s mantra goes, it isn’t important how they hit the back of the net.

After a run of nine matches for club and country without a goal and expectations rising on the man acquired for a hefty fee in the summer, a huge wave of relief washed over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres guided in from close range via a deflection off David Hancko during a pulsating second half when Mikel Arteta’s side showed again that they are here to compete this season.

Remarkable Shift in Form

Shortly after and to the joy of the home faithful, his mask celebration borrowed from the character Bane in Batman, whose catchphrase is “attention came only with the disguise,” was showcased again after bundling over from Gabriel Magalhães’s header following a Declan Rice corner to seal the victory against Atlético Madrid. On the sidelines, Arteta celebrated wildly and motioned emphatically in the direction of his star striker, of whom he has spent the previous 14 days insisting the best was yet to come.

“Such is soccer, and we can’t expect a player to move leagues and have him replicate his form immediately,” the Arsenal manager said in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca before this game. “Situations are not the same. Each athlete anywhere need one thing: their psychological state to be at its best. I advised Viktor in our first meeting that the center forward I sought for Arsenal was someone who could hold up mentally when they experienced a dry spell without scoring. Failing that, you’re not suited at this level. That’s why I have a strong confidence in him.”

Youthful Struggles

When he was just 14 playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are situated in Stockholm’s southern suburbs, that Gyökeres first understood he would have to build resilience to make it in his selected career. Criticised after a disappointing display by a coach who said he was not mentally equipped to excel in top-level football, he ended up being converted from a flank attacker into a striker after joining Brommapojkarna two years later. “Those words lingered and I recall it now,” he said not long ago.

Difficult Phase

Without a goal since the victory against Nottingham Forest at home back on 13 September, this has been one of the most testing periods of his career. Gyökeres was widely panned after Sweden were defeated by Kosovo and Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers in the last two weeks, with one newspaper characterizing his outing against the latter as “invisible.”

He recorded an incredible 54 goals in 52 appearances in all tournaments for Sporting last season, so the issue is obviously not his goal conversion. In line with the coach’s repeated comments, his all‑round play has given Arsenal an extra dimension in attack, even if the openings have not been in his favor.

Game Analysis

This was plainly visible during the initial 45 minutes of this high‑quality encounter between two teams that had initially seemed evenly matched. There was a feeling that Gyökeres was overexerting himself to make an impact as he bustled about like a force of nature during the opening minutes. An Eberechi Eze shot that bounced on to the bar inside the opening five minutes was originated from some quick moves on the edge of the Atlético area that skillfully evaded from his defender, José María Giménez.

The Uruguayan has the reputation of a man who could provoke conflict anywhere but is deeply knowledgeable at this standard compared with Gyökeres, who is participating in just his second Champions League campaign after netting three goals for Sporting against Manchester City last season that probably significantly contributed to influencing Arteta to make the move.

Constant Hustle

Nevertheless having attracted criticism that he was out of shape after sitting out the buildup in Portugal, Arsenal’s considerably trimmer striker pursued each opportunity as if his life depended on it. Giménez was fooled into conceding a yellow card when Gyökeres ran into him on the edge of the Atlético area having simply held his position. Gabriel Martinelli saw his goal ruled out for offside after tapping in Bukayo Saka’s cross and it did not happen until later that the Swede had his initial opportunity.

A brilliant pass from Martinelli created an ideal chance, only for Jan Oblak to promptly save an hesitant shot towards goal. Then it must have appeared that the first score would elude him. But the goals flowed when Gabriel nodded in Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was ready to capitalize as the forward with the disguise made his mark. “With any luck this is the beginning of a great run,” said a delighted Arteta.