Gyokeres snaps goal famine during Arsenals dominant victory over Atletico
Viktor Gyokeres netted a brace to break his nine match scoring dry spell amid Arsenals devastating second half performance against Atletico Madrid securing a 4-0 triumph that prolonged the Gunners flawless Champions League opening on Tuesday.
Gabriel Magalhaes along with Gabriel Martinelli paved the way prior to Gyokeres pair of strikes with every goal arriving within a 13 minute burst straddling the 60th minute.
The Premier League frontrunners are also perched comfortably next to previous years finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan atop the Champions League standings as the sole teams with nine points from their initial three fixtures thus far.
Gyokeres scarcity of strikes had stood as one of the scant worries for Mikel Arteta during an exceptional campaign launch.
The Swedish forward acquired from Sporting Lisbon to remedy Arsenals absence of a sharp central striker had netted merely three times beforehand in domestic matches versus Leeds and Nottingham Forest across his prior 11 outings.
"Fingers crossed this kicks off an impressive run now" Arteta commented.
"Thats precisely why we signed him. His expectations for himself are sky high yet we truly appreciate his numerous contributions to the squad."
Atletico continue winless on the road throughout the season and the Spanish outfits dramatic downfall following a balanced initial hour raises alarms for Diego Simeone.
A further shutout signifies Arsenal have surrendered just three goals in 12 total contests across all tournaments this term.
Julian Alvarez squandered two chances to edge the away side in front first by mishandling a misguided David Raya kick in the opening half then striking the crossbar from distance shortly after the interval.
Eberechi Ezes bounce off the frame also marked Arsenals prime opportunity during the first half.
Dead-ball prowess
However much like in lately Artetas side could depend on their excellence from dead balls to breach the defence.
Declan Rices curling free kick was ideally placed for the leaping Gabriel to nod firmly into the near post.
Myles Lewis Skellys return at left back represented one of just two alterations by Arteta from Saturdays narrow 1-0 success at Fulham.
The young Englishman has largely backed up Riccardo Calafiori over the campaign but showcased the depth at Artetas disposal with a surging advance to assist the next strike.
Lewis Skelly located Martinelli who bent the ball into the distant corner for his third tally in three Champions League appearances.
Gyokeres subsequently earned the luck required to halt his goalless streak as his nearby effort ricocheted off David Hancko leaving Jan Oblak with no chance.
Merely three minutes on Gyokeres finished from nearer still following Gabriels aerial duel triumph off Rices corner.
"Its taken some time but weve kept picking up victories so overall its been a solid few months" Gyokeres remarked.
"Naturally as a forward you crave goals. Fantastic to bag a couple and clinch this result as it highlights our level."
Arsenal advanced to the semi finals in the prior season marking their first such progress since 2009 prior to defeat against eventual champions PSG.
The Gunners seem bolstered further after an additional summer of substantial squad reinforcements as they pursue a maiden European conquest in the clubs legacy.