The Portuguese media were less than impressed by Viktor Gyokeres’ return to Lisbon as Arsenal won 1-0 against Sporting CP in the Champions League.
Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time goal hands the Gunners a slender one-goal lead ahead of next week’s second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
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It was a rather low-quality Champions League quarter-final with neither team looking particularly interested in attacking the other.
Meanwhile, Gyokeres struggled up front for service, and the local media in Portugal have been discussing his return to the José Alvalade Stadium.
Portuguese media slam Viktor Gyokeres’ performance vs Sporting CP
The Portuguese media have slammed Viktor Gyokeres’ performance against Sporting CP as the Arsenal striker struggled to get into the game.
Gyokeres was one of the worst players on the pitch at the José Alvalade, managing just 17 touches and just one shot at goal.
The 27-year-old received a warm, welcoming return from his former teammates and supporters, but on the pitch, he failed to punish them.
After the game, Portuguese media had their say on his display in the Champions League, and they wrote about his struggles against his former team.
A Bola wrote: “Gyokeres returned to Alvalade, one of eight changes to the Gunners ‘ starting eleven, but had a night to forget.
“The striker, who celebrates with a mask, seemed masked: he was barely visible, and when he did appear, he was offside when he assisted Zubimendi for a goal in the 63rd minute (disallowed due to the Swede’s position) and shot weakly, straight at the goalkeeper.”
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Meanwhile, Publico also slammed his performance by writing: “Gyokeres was largely absent from the game. The Swede lacked his usual attacking runs into space.”
Alan Shearer says Arsenal did not give Gyokeres enough service and has urged Noni Madueke to start getting crosses into him earlier.
The Gunners are still not playing to the Swede’s strengths, and against Sporting, the striker looked an isolated figure.
Rui Borges hails Viktor Gyokeres’ return to Sporting
Rui Borges was delighted to see Gyokeres’ return to Sporting receive applause from the home supporters.
The Sporting boss hailed the striker after the match, following everything he did for his team last season.
Borges told O Jogo: “I just asked if they were okay, if his family was okay. That I was happy for him. He deserves recognition.
“He helped me immensely to become national champion, he gave everything while he was here, he made history at Sporting and in the Portuguese championship, and he’s always welcome. He deserves to be applauded.”
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