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If Viktor Gyökeres develops into the attacker that all Arsenal fans have been hoping for, then possibly they will recall this night as the point his destiny turned around. In keeping with the timeless attacker’s creed, it isn’t important how they go in.

After a run of nine matches for Arsenal and Sweden without a goal and scrutiny increasing on the man acquired for a hefty fee in the offseason, a tremendous feeling of ease washed over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres scuffed home from close range via a ricochet off David Hancko during a thrilling second half when Mikel Arteta’s side demonstrated once more that they mean business this season.

Dramatic Turnaround in Form

Less than three minutes later and to the joy of the home faithful, his Bane-inspired gesture borrowed from the antagonist Bane in Batman, whose catchphrase is “attention came only with the disguise,” 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 raised his fists and signaled enthusiastically in the direction of his recent signing, of whom he has spent the previous 14 days insisting the finest displays lay ahead.

“Such is soccer, and we shouldn’t anticipate a player to change contexts and have him do the same thing instantly,” the Arsenal manager remarked in a conversation with the Spanish newspaper Marca prior to the match. “Situations are not the same. Every footballer globally need one thing: their mental condition to be at its peak. I advised Viktor in our introductory chat that the center forward I desired at Arsenal was someone who could remain strong psychologically when they went six or eight games without scoring. Otherwise, you’re not suited at this level. That’s why I have a strong confidence in him.”

Formative Hurdles

When he was just 14 playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are based in Stockholm’s outskirts, that Gyökeres first recognized he would have to toughen up to succeed in his selected career. Admonished after a disappointing display by a coach who said he didn’t have the mentality to succeed in elite soccer, he ultimately switched from a flank attacker into a striker after joining Brommapojkarna two years later. “That comment resonated and I think about it often,” he said not long ago.

Challenging Spell

Goal-shy since the triumph over Nottingham Forest at home back on 13 September, this has been one of the hardest times of his time in football. 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 “unnoticeable.”

He managed an astounding 54 goals in 52 appearances in all tournaments for Sporting last season, so the issue is obviously not his scoring ability. As Arteta has frequently pointed out, his complete game has added a new layer in offense, even if the opportunities have not fallen his way.

Match Highlights

This was plainly visible during the first half of this top-level clash between two teams that had at first appeared evenly matched. There was a impression that Gyökeres was pressing too much to impress as he bustled about like a bull in a china shop during the early stages. An Eberechi Eze shot that deflected on to the bar inside the first few moments was created by some sharp footwork on the edge of the Atlético area that skillfully evaded from his opponent, José María Giménez.

Giménez has the reputation of a man who could create tension effortlessly but is deeply knowledgeable at this standard compared with Gyökeres, who is playing in only his second Champions League campaign after scoring a hat-trick for Sporting against Manchester City last season that likely played a key role to persuading Arteta to secure the signing.

Relentless Effort

However having drawn comments that he was carrying a few too many pounds after being absent for preparations in Portugal, Arsenal’s much more svelte-looking striker chased down every ball as if his life depended on it. Giménez was fooled into conceding a yellow card when Gyökeres collided with him on the edge of the Atlético area having simply held his position. Gabriel Martinelli saw his goal ruled out for offside after converting Bukayo Saka’s cross and it only came in the second half that the Swede had his first sight of goal.

A sumptuous flick from Martinelli created an ideal chance, only for Jan Oblak to swiftly block an unconvincing toe-poke towards goal. At that point it must have seemed as if the opening goal would not arrive. But the dam burst when Gabriel headed home Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was able to take full advantage as the man in the mask made his mark. “Ideally this is the commencement of a prolific period,” said a delighted Arteta.