Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz combined to help Arsenal beat Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The Gunners played the away leg exactly as they should while they are going through a rough spell – without taking any unnecessary risks.
Mikel Arteta probably would’ve been happy with a 0-0 draw to take back to the Emirates Stadium, but Havertz got on the end of Martinelli’s ball and scored a lovely goal.
The two substitutes deserve a lot of praise, but there’s another player who made the goal happen – Viktor Gyokeres.
🚨 Who played the biggest role in Arsenal’s 1-0 win vs Sporting?
Kai Havertz explains how Viktor Gyokeres helped him score Arsenal’s winner vs Sporting CP
Gyokeres received a warm welcome from the home fans at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday night despite not leaving the club on good terms.
It was great to see the mutual appreciation, but in between the opening and closing applause, the Arsenal striker had a match to play.
Gyokeres, as always, worked his socks off, but he did not get a clear-cut opportunity to score at any point during the game.
However, the Swede still produced a match-winning moment without even touching the ball.
In the 91st minute, when Gabriel Martinelli cut inside from the left flank and found himself in a central position, Gyokeres dragged the Sporting defender away from the middle.
That freed up huge space for Kai Havertz, who made the run, received the ball, controlled it brilliantly and then found the net with the utmost composure.
The German gave 80 per cent of the credit to Martinelli, but he also thanked Gyokeres for his contribution after the game.
He said in a video released on Arsenal’s social channels: “80 per cent of the goal goes to Gabi. I saw the space, he played the perfect ball, and it’s always nice to score at the end of the game. All in all, a top goal.
“Thanks to Gabi Martinelli and to Viktor, who created the space.”
Predict the score of Arsenal vs Sporting CP second leg👀
A lot of Viktor Gyokeres’ work goes unnoticed at Arsenal
Gyokeres is never going to be the striker who has 40 touches of the ball and 10 shots at goal every game.
The Swede, somewhat similar to Erling Haaland, will always have fewer touches compared to most others, but when he is put in a shooting position, he is very clinical.
In other situations, Gyokeres’ main role is to hold play up or drag defenders away with him so that his teammates have more space.
The former Sporting man sacrifices himself for the benefit of others in every single game, and that almost always goes unnoticed.
That is why we are so glad that Havertz mentioned it while speaking about his goal. Hopefully, more people will notice Gyokeres’ movement in the coming games and give him the praise he deserves.
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