Viktor Gyokeres showed the whole of Europe just how good he can be as he hit a stunning hat-trick for Sweden against the Ukraine last night.
Gyokeres helped the Swedes to within one game of the World Cup as a display of aggression and ruthless finishing was too much for the Ukrainians.
Anthony Elanga was another Premier League player to play in the game and speaking after the game, the Newcastle winger was full of praise for Gyokeres.
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Anthony Elanga shares what makes Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres so good
Gyokeres’ record with the national team is now second to none. 18 goals in just 31 appearances very much prove he can do it on the international stage.
Indeed, speaking about his teammate after the Ukraine game, Elanga was full of praise.
“Really happy, but I don’t want to stop yet. We still have one more match on Tuesday. I think we played well today; we are solid both defensively and offensively. I’m especially very happy for Viktor with his hat-trick. I have to say that, scoring a hat-trick is something special, and he’s a special player,” Elanga commented.
Asked to specifically name the qualities Gyokeres brings to the team, Elanga praised how the striker allows others to find space.
“He contributes a lot, he can take on two players at once, and I play a role where I can move around when he has the ball and do my thing. When we play like that, I feel I’m at my best in football, and I play with freedom, which Graham gives me a lot of.”
Where Viktor Gyokeres ranks among Sweden’s all-time top goalscorers
As of right now, Viktor Gyokeres is some way off getting to the very top of the tree. That spot is held by a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who notched 62 times in 122 games for Sweden.
However, he isn’t too far off getting into the top ten. Gyokeres needs just nine more goals to level with Agne Simonsson on 27, with Simonsson hitting that mark in 51 appearances.
Celtic legend Henrik Larsson sits fourth on the list with 37 from 106 games which, on paper, looks an achievable target for Gyokeres.
| Player | Goals |
| Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 62 |
| Sven Rydell | 49 |
| Gunnar Nordahl | 43 |
| Henrik Larsson | 37 |
| Gunnar Gren | 32 |
As for Arsenal, it’s simply good to see their star striker hitting form as we enter the crucial point of the season.
If he can bring that form and confidence back to The Emirates, then Arsenal will be champions.
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