Arsenal striker Viktor Gokeres impressed against Slavia Praha and has been tipped to face Hill this weekend.
Arsenal star Viktor Gokeres says he “wants to contribute every game” after scoring his second goal of the season against Slavia Prava.
The Sweden international impressed in the Champions League on Tuesday and he also set up Noni Madueke’s opener in Prague. Gyokeres, whose only goal this season came in the Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood, took his marker off the ball on the halfway line and flicked the ball forward into space. Madueke broke through the defense and curled an angled shot through the legs of Nazar Domchak to give Arsenal the lead at the Fortuna Arena.
Then, in the 38th minute, Gyokeres exchanged passes with Mikel Merino and scored. The Swede broke into the box before opening up his body and slotting the ball through Domczak and past the far post.
It was the 28-year-old’s first Champions League goal from open play since scoring against Kairat Almaty in January.
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“I feel very good. Obviously, I’m happy with the win and contributing two goals,” Gyokeres said after the 2:1 win.
“So, a good feeling in the first half – and then obviously in the second half, because of how it went, maybe the feeling is not so good right now. But overall, if you look at the first half, it’s a good feeling. That’s my job as a striker and of course when I’m on the pitch I want to contribute every game and I want to be involved in the attack like I felt very good today.”
Gyokeres was one of six changes Mikel Arteta made to beat Liverpool 1-0 at the weekend. Kai Havertz has often been favored over the top this campaign, with the German scoring the only goal at Anfield last Sunday.
But Arteta has previously spoken of the presence of two world-class strikers and the performance of Gokeres would have pleased the Spaniard.
“I thought he was really good,” Arteta said of the former Sporting CP man. “It’s a game we think is really good for him.
“The demands of the opposition, for the gaps he can exploit. He did that very well. Not only the assist and the goal, but he was really committed to the team. Yes, it’s great news because I think he needed that performance.”
Gyokeres has appeared only 6 times for Arsenal this season and half of them have been in the Champions League. Next up for the Gunners is Hull at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and Arteta has a decision on his hands – start Gyokeres or start Havertz.
“So far we have done well in the Champions League and the league,” said Gyokeres. “At the stage we’re in now, we’re in a good place, but I think we all understand what we can improve on and what we need to do to take the next step.”