Victor Gyukiris makes Arsenal ‘much better’ as drought ends – Mikel Arteta

There’s never a bad time for a striker to score, but after a barren career, Victor Gyukiris’ relief by scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid was palpable. It could also be the start of a more prolific period, believes manager Mikel Arteta.

After three goals in his first four games, Gyokeris, a £64m signing, failed to find the back of the net in Arsenal’s next eight games and looked visibly frustrated at times.

But his team-mates continued to praise his overall impact and Arteta said he hugged the striker after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday in appreciation for his efforts.

The 27-year-old has been forced to play more than planned at this stage of the season due to a knee injury to Kai Havertz, who played 90 minutes seven times in Arsenal’s first 12 matches.

But after scoring twice in the thrashing of Atletico on Tuesday, Gyukiris now stands on five goals in 12 games and his coach believes the strikes were reward for his determination.

Arteta said: “He deserved it because everything we saw in terms of what he was doing for the team and how much he was helping the team in many areas, apart from scoring goals in the last few weeks, there was no discussion about that.”

“It was about keeping that belief in himself, that emotional state that he can have fun and play freely.

“I think he definitely did that today,” [he had] Big smile on his face.

“Look at his teammates too, in the picture and the video, they are all so happy for him because he totally deserves it.”