Viktor Gyokeres endured a quiet return to Sporting CP as Arsenal won 1-0 in their Champions League quarter-final
Viktor Gyokeres had a frustrating night in Lisbon(Image: Carlos Rodrigues, Getty Images)
Arsenal may have secured victory in their Champions League clash in Lisbon on Tuesday evening, but it proved a difficult night for Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish forward was unable to score against his former employers Sporting CP and faced harsh criticism from the Portuguese media both during and after the victory.
The 27-year-old averaged close to one goal per game for Sporting before his summer switch to Arsenal in a transfer worth up to £63.7m. He has found the back of the net 17 times for his new side but drew a blank on Tuesday as the Gunners required a late goal from substitute Kai Havertz to triumph at Estadio Jose Alvalade and establish a slender advantage ahead of the second leg of their quarter-final tie.
Gyokeres was in excellent form during the international break, scoring four goals across two matches as Sweden secured their World Cup qualification. He has still yet to score in a Champions League knockout tie, though, after playing three for Arsenal and one for former side Sporting.
The press in Portugal didn’t hold back when assessing Gyokeres’ display on his return to Lisbon. Here’s their verdict.
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Record
Even ahead of kick-off, Record were in position to provide extensive coverage of Gyokeres’ return. They published a live blog even noting that the player’s relatives watched the match alongside Sporting supporters back in Stockholm.
“After 45 minutes, Gyokeres has been somewhat subdued,” their half-time update read. “The Swede hasn’t had a shot yet and has been heavily marked. He’s only touched the ball 9 times and lost both duels he’s been involved in.”
Little had changed come the final whistle. This left Record with scant material to work with regarding his performance on the pitch, noting just how quiet a night it had been for a player who scored a famous European hat-trick for Sporting against Manchester City last term.
“Viktor Gyokeres returned to Alvalade, now as an opponent of Sporting, and left smiling with Arsenal’s victory in stoppage time,” they added. “The striker put in a discreet performance in the reunion, being applauded at the end by the Sporting fans, at a time when the green and white team also said goodbye with applause from the stands.”
To Ball
To Ball highlighted just two moments involving Gyokeres, itself a telling sign that his 90 minutes were far more muted than he would have liked. One of those amounted to nothing, with an offside call against the Swede ensuring Martin Zubimendi’s celebrations were cut short after he thought he’d broken the deadlock.
“Gyokeres returned to Alvalade – one of eight changes to the Gunners’ starting eleven – but had a night to forget,” they wrote. “The striker, who celebrates with a mask, seemed masked: he was barely visible, and when he did appear, he was offside when he assisted Zubimendi for a goal in the 63rd minute (disallowed due to the Swede’s position) and shot weakly, straight at the goalkeeper (66′).”
Arsenal substitute Gabriel Martinelli thrived where Gyokeres laboured, making a telling impact as he played through Havertz for the winning goal. “He came off the bench and was decisive, with a brilliant play that allowed Arsenal to be happy at Alvalade,” A Bola’s report read.
More Football
Similarly, More Football had little positive to say regarding Gyokeres’ contributions on the pitch. However, they highlighted a touching reunion for the Swedish striker as he caught up with his former team-mates, even making his way into their dressing room following Arsenal’s victory.
“The game didn’t go his way, it’s true, he was far from the Arsenal level and only managed one shot, without any danger,” they wrote. “But after the final whistle, which sealed the victory for the London team, the Swede made a point of greeting all the Sporting players, giving (manager) Rui Borges a big hug and walking around the pitch thanking the applause.
“The night, however, was not yet over. Even after all this, Gyokeres went back to the Sporting dressing room to socialise with the players. He left the dressing room he knows so well with two green and white jerseys, given to him by former teammates. It was with them under his arm that he headed towards the Arsenal team bus.
“As he passed through the mixed zone, with a broad smile on his face, Gyokeres was not authorised by Arsenal to speak to journalists, but he made a point of greeting them and expressing his happiness at returning to Alvalade. “Yes, very happy,” he said quickly.”
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