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If Viktor Gyökeres transforms into the striker that all Arsenal fans have been praying for, then perhaps they will look back on this night as the juncture his fortune turned around. In keeping with the timeless attacker’s creed, it doesn’t matter how they find the net.

After a run of nine matches for club and country without a goal and scrutiny increasing on the man signed for £64m in the summer, a huge wave of relief washed over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres scuffed home from point-blank via a ricochet off David Hancko during a electrifying second half when Mikel Arteta’s side proved yet again that they mean business this season.

Stunning Reversal in Fortune

Shortly after and to the delight of the local supporters, his Bane-inspired gesture inspired by the villain Bane in Batman, whose famous line is “attention came only with the disguise,” was showcased again after kneeing in from Gabriel Magalhães’s header following a Declan Rice corner to finish the demolition against Atlético Madrid. From the technical area, Arteta punched the air and signaled enthusiastically in the direction of his star striker, of whom he has spent the past two weeks insisting the peak performance awaited.

“This is football, and we can’t expect a player to switch environments and have him replicate his form immediately,” the Arsenal manager remarked in a conversation with the Spanish newspaper Marca ahead of the fixture. “Things are very different. Every footballer globally need one thing: their state of mind to be at its peak. I told Viktor in our first meeting that the center forward I sought for Arsenal was someone who could stay resilient when they went six or eight games without scoring. Failing that, you’re not suited at this tier. That’s why I have a strong confidence in him.”

Youthful Struggles

It was as a 14-year-old playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are based in Stockholm’s outskirts, that Gyökeres first realised he would have to develop a thick skin to succeed in his vocation. Rebuked after a disappointing display by a coach who said he didn’t have the mentality to excel in elite soccer, he ultimately switched from a wide player into a striker after joining Brommapojkarna two years later. “Those words lingered and I think about it often,” he said in a recent interview.

Testing Period

Having failed to score since the triumph over Nottingham Forest here back on 13 September, this has been one of the hardest times of his professional life. Gyökeres was heavily criticised after Sweden were overcome by Kosovo and Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers in the past fortnight, with one newspaper characterizing his outing against the latter as “invisible.”

He achieved an incredible 54 goals in 52 appearances in all tournaments for Sporting last season, so the problem is clearly not his goal conversion. In line with the coach’s repeated comments, his overall contribution has added a new layer in the final third, even if the opportunities have not been in his favor.

Game Analysis

This was plainly visible during the first half of this top-level clash between two teams that had at first appeared closely contested. There was a feeling that Gyökeres was pressing too much to stand out as he charged around like a force of nature during the beginning phase. An Eberechi Eze shot that glanced on to the bar inside the first few moments was originated from some clever dribbling on the edge of the Atlético area that skillfully evaded from his defender, José María Giménez.

Giménez has the reputation of a man who could create tension effortlessly but is deeply knowledgeable at this level compared with Gyökeres, who is playing in only his second Champions League campaign after bagging a triple for Sporting against Manchester City last season that must have gone a long way to persuading Arteta to secure the signing.

Relentless Effort

Nevertheless having faced scrutiny that he was out of shape after sitting out the buildup in Portugal, Arsenal’s considerably trimmer striker pursued each opportunity as if his future was at stake. Giménez was fooled into conceding a booking when Gyökeres collided with him on the edge of the Atlético area having only been stationary. Gabriel Martinelli saw his attempt canceled for offside after tapping in Bukayo Saka’s cross and it only came in the second half that the Swede had his initial opportunity.

A exquisite touch from Martinelli created an ideal chance, only for Jan Oblak to promptly save an hesitant shot towards goal. Then it must have seemed as if the breakthrough would elude him. But the dam burst when Gabriel nodded in Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was able to take full advantage as the masked striker made his mark. “Ideally this is the commencement of a prolific period,” said a delighted Arteta.