Gyokeres makes Arsenal statement with 'LIGHTNING BOLT' moment for Sporting

29 Apr 2024 00:52 CDT
3 min read

Viktor Gyokeres, Sporting CP, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Viktor Gyokeres underlined his readiness to make a summer transfer to Arsenal with a brilliant double for Sporting CP against Porto on Sunday.

The Sweden international had been left on the bench in a surprise move by head coach Ruben Amorim but was called into action midway through the second half as his side trailed 2-0.

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Sporting had been comprehensively outplayed by Porto until his arrival, yet he scored two goals in the space of two minutes to salvage an unlikely point for the Lisbon club, who remain firmly on course to win the Liga Portugal title as consequence of his heroics.

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After bulleting a header into the net, he added a second straight from Porto’s kick-off. The hosts were robbed of the ball and some lovely combination play, in which the 25-year-old was involved, allowed him an eventual tap in.

It was the type of performance that will have caught the attention of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has already made Gyokeres his summer transfer priority, according to FootballTransfers’ information.

And the effectiveness of the former Coventry striker once on the field helped to explain why the Gunners have taken this stance.

Portuguese outlet A Bola made him their Man of the Match, giving him a rating of 8/10 despite his limited minutes.

“Sporting is not just Gyokeres, but it is with Swede on the field that the Lions regained their strongest shape… A minute is an eternity for a lightning bolt like the Swede, who has scored 40 goals and now has 11 doubles this season! Remarkable,” the paper says.

With Arsenal looking for a pure goalscoring No.9, this was an impressive display against a team the Gunners only managed to score once against in 150 minutes.

Why Gyokeres didn’t start against Porto

Gyokeres revealed afterwards that he hadn’t started the match due to a small injury but he also revealed that even when two down, his side felt they were still capable of winning.

“With them winning and having a 2-0 lead, they weren't as intense in their pressure. We believed we could turn the game around. We had to do it today and we did it,” he told Sport TV.

“We came here to win. We got a point, but the feeling ended up being good when we were 2-0 down and we came back. It gives us a better feeling but we wanted to win. We got a point and that's it.”

Sunday was a big night for Gyokeres, but it was a display that shows he is ready to take the step up - and Arsenal are watching.

Read more about: Liga Portugal Bwin, Premier League, Arsenal, Sporting CP, Viktor Gyökeres