Viktor Gyokeres was a passenger for most of Arsenal’s win over Everton, but for all of his shortcomings, he won the Gunners the game.
The Premier League title race took another turn on matchday 30 as Arsenal went nine points clear at the top of the table.
Before Manchester City kicked a ball, Arsenal’s task was clear: beat Everton, and they did just that.
It wasn’t until the 89th minute that the game was won courtesy of Gyokeres, who, aside from his decisive goal, was anonymous.
The grand scheme of things? His performance up to that point did not matter.
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Be brave: Was this the matchweek that we won the league?
Viktor Gyokeres proved vs Everton that he can be Arsenal’s match-winner
Mikel Arteta made a big call and dropped Gyokeres to start Kai Havertz up front.
The change paid off, as Havertz was heavily involved against Everton, being found by his teammates in the box multiple times.
When the German departed, some of the attacking cohesion expired, as Gyokeres looked lost when coming on.
That was until he was in the exact spot he needed to be to win Arsenal the game, going from a passenger to the scorer of a decisive goal in the Premier League title race.
Aside from his goal, Gyokeres’ stats were astonishing, only managing to complete two passes and 12 touches, losing possession four times.
Will anyone remember those numbers? No. Will anyone remember his goal? Yes.
It’s exactly why Arteta brought him to Arsenal in the summer, to be the deliverer of those big moments, which, when his team needed him most, he was.
Think back to many times Arsenal needed a goalscorer in those big moments over the past few years, the Gunners have got it now with Gyokeres.
So, no, the Swede isn’t pretty, but he’s efficient, scoring his 16th goal for Arsenal in his debut season. A goal that might be referred to for years to come.
Gyokeres matches Didier Drogba
Gyokeres is doing everything Arsenal brought him in to do, and he really deserves more credit for that.
Call it now: Will Viktor Gyokeres’ career at Arsenal be as successful as Didier Drogba’s at Chelsea? 👀
16 goals is nothing on the 54 goals he scored for Sporting CP last season, but in England, it’s a statement.
Didier Drogba scored 16 goals in his first season as a Chelsea player, and Gyokeres just matched that number with his goal against Everton.
There’s a good chance that the Sweden international surpasses Drogba’s first-season record by some distance, which would make Arsenal fans very happy.
As far as first seasons go, Gyokeres has delivered where the Gunners needed him to most, and now, it’s time to show the striker some applause.
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