Viktor Gyokeres started and played 65 minutes for Arsenal in their win over Athletic Club in the Champions League.
The Gunners had faced Ernesto Valverde’s side in a friendly before the start of the season and picked up a comfortable victory then, with Gyokeres scoring his first-ever Arsenal goal in that game.
On Tuesday in the Champions League, things were a lot more difficult, and the Sweden international failed to get on the score sheet.
The Spanish press have had their say on Gyokeres now.
Spain’s media deliver verdict on Viktor Gyokeres’ performance during Athletic Club vs Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has had an interesting start to life at Arsenal.
The former Sporting CP star has scored three goals in two games at the Emirates, but he is yet to open his account away from home.
On Tuesday in San Mames, Gyokeres came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, but unfortunately for him, the ball didn’t find the back of the net.
To make things worse, the Swede suffered a cut on the back of his head after clashing with Gabriel Magalhaes inside the box.
Sport in Spain has claimed that the injury ended Gyokeres’ performance after he looked lively beforehand.
They wrote: “The Swede was one of Athletic’s biggest pains – along with Madueke – in the first half, but a collision with Gabriel left him with a considerable gash on the back of his neck and ended his performance.”
AS described Gyokeres’ display as ‘lacklustre’ and hailed Trossard for changing the game for Arsenal.
They wrote: “Trossard changed everything. The Belgian has been the differentiating factor in Arsenal’s attack.
“He burst onto the scene spectacularly, replacing a lacklustre Gyokeres. Playing as a false nine, his mobility has ultimately caused Athletic’s defence to struggle.”
READ MORE: Jeff Stelling left absolutely shocked after what Troy Deeney said about Viktor Gyokeres
Mikel Arteta shares Viktor Gyokeres injury update after Arsenal beat Athletic Club
Gyokeres suffered a bad cut on the back of his head, and the medical staff had to cover the wound with a bandage.
In the 65th minute, Mikel Arteta decided to take Gyokeres off and replace him with Leandro Trossard. That decision puzzled many Arsenal fans on social media.
Arteta’s decision proved to be the right one in the end as Trossard created one and scored the other, but there was some worry over whether Gyokeres was taken off because of his injury.
Thankfully for Arsenal fans, Arteta confirmed after the game that both Gyokeres and Mikel Merino are fine.
“I think they are all good,” he said in his post-match press conference.
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