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In the event that Viktor Gyökeres goes on to become the striker that every Arsenal followers have been praying for, then maybe they will recall this night as the moment his luck turned around. According to the classic forward’s saying, it isn’t important how they hit the back of the net.

Following a streak of nine matches for his team and national side without a goal and scrutiny increasing on the man acquired for a hefty fee in the close season, a massive sense of release swept over the Emirates Stadium when Gyökeres guided in from close range via a deflection off David Hancko during a electrifying second half when Mikel Arteta’s side demonstrated once more that they are here to compete this season.

Dramatic Turnaround in Fortune

Less than three minutes later and to the joy of the stadium crowd, his face-covering routine borrowed from the character Bane in Batman, whose famous line is “attention came only with the disguise,” was repeated once more after bundling over from Gabriel Magalhães’s header following a Declan Rice corner to seal the victory against Atlético Madrid. On the sidelines, Arteta raised his fists and gestured animatedly in the direction of his new centre forward, of whom he has spent the past two weeks insisting the best was yet to come.

“Such is soccer, and we can’t expect a player to change contexts and have him perform identically right away,” the Arsenal manager remarked in a conversation with the Spanish newspaper Marca before this game. “Circumstances vary greatly. Every footballer globally need one thing: their mental condition to be at its peak. I advised Viktor in our first meeting that the striker I desired at Arsenal was someone who could hold up mentally when they experienced a dry spell without scoring. If not, you’re not suited at this standard. That’s why I have a lot of faith in him.”

Formative Hurdles

Back in his early teens playing for IFK Aspudden-Tellus, who are situated in Stockholm’s outskirts, that Gyökeres first realised he would have to build resilience to make it in his chosen profession. Admonished after a disappointing display by a coach who said he was not mentally equipped to excel in top-level football, he ultimately switched from a wide player into a striker after signing for Brommapojkarna two years later. “Those words lingered and I still remember it today,” he said not long ago.

Difficult Phase

Without a goal since the triumph over Nottingham Forest in London back on 13 September, this has been one of the hardest times of his time in football. Gyökeres was widely panned after Sweden were beaten by Kosovo and Switzerland in World Cup qualifiers in the previous 14 days, with one newspaper labeling his display against the latter as “unnoticeable.”

He recorded 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 attack, even if the openings have not been in his favor.

Key Moments

This was certainly in evidence during the opening period of this top-level clash between two teams that had at first appeared well-balanced. There was a feeling that Gyökeres was trying too hard to make an impact as he charged around like a bull in a china shop during the opening minutes. An Eberechi Eze shot that bounced on to the bar inside the initial stages was originated from some quick moves on the edge of the Atlético area that skillfully evaded from his opponent, José María Giménez.

Giménez has the reputation of a man who could provoke conflict anywhere but is highly seasoned at this stage compared with Gyökeres, who is playing in only his second Champions League campaign after netting three goals for Sporting against Manchester City last season that must have gone a long way to persuading Arteta to secure the signing.

Unyielding Drive

However having drawn comments that he was out of shape after being absent for preparations in Portugal, Arsenal’s noticeably leaner striker chased down every ball as if his career hung in the balance. Giménez was drawn into conceding a booking when Gyökeres made contact on the edge of the Atlético area having simply held his position. Gabriel Martinelli saw his attempt canceled for offside after converting Bukayo Saka’s cross and it wasn’t until after the break that the Swede had his first sight of goal.

A exquisite touch from Martinelli provided a golden opportunity, only for Jan Oblak to promptly save an weak effort towards goal. At that stage it must have seemed as if the breakthrough would not arrive. But the dam burst when Gabriel headed home Rice’s free-kick and Gyökeres was able to take full advantage as the forward with the disguise made his mark. “With any luck this is the commencement of a prolific period,” said a delighted Arteta.