Viktor Gyokeres provided the perfect response to speculation linking Arsenal with Julian Alvarez, delivering a statement performance in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid. Much of the pre-match talk had centred on whether the Gunners should break the bank for Alvarez, but Gyokeres gave Arsenal chiefs food for thought with a display full of strength and power.
Gyokeres shines on the big stage
Mikel Arteta had demanded a 'statement performance' from his side, and while the team may still need to finish the job in the return leg, the biggest statement came from Gyokeres. It was arguably his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, and to do it on such a stage was remarkable. There has to be an element—though he would never admit it—of trying to prove a point, given the pre-match chatter about Alvarez and his potential move.
Gyokeres scored his 19th goal of the season, a penalty, and showed his all-round game. His run in the first half to set up a chance for Martin Odegaard was a highlight: strong enough to hold off defenders, powerful and quick enough to burst through, and then delivering a low cross. His hold-up play was excellent, and after much criticism and scrutiny, the £64m striker really showed up.
But consistency remains an issue
Now, if only he could do that on a regular basis. He does not possess the pace, touch, or mobility of Alvarez. There has been some revisionism lately about Gyokeres and why he was signed, with suggestions he was always meant to be an option or back-up. But Arsenal do not sign players for £64m to be second choice. The reality is that Gyokeres has come up short for much of the season, and if they had signed a truly top centre-forward, they would be ten points clear in the title race.
It would be impossible to imagine Arsenal selling two of their three strikers—Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, or Gabriel Jesus—this summer to fund a move for Alvarez. The 26-year-old is top drawer and showed against Arsenal why he is so coveted. He was superb, creating everything, making chances for himself and teammates, and linking play brilliantly. When he went off, Atletico faded away, underlining his importance. He will be the biggest threat to Arsenal in the return leg.
What Arsenal need in a striker
That is what Arsenal need as a striker. If they could blend the three they have—Jesus's touch and control, Havertz's link play and technique, and Gyokeres's raw power—they would have the perfect striker. But they cannot, which is why they probably need to buy again. Meanwhile, Arsenal will only have made a statement if they beat Atletico next week and progress, proving they belong on the biggest stage. They are in back-to-back semi-finals, but in football, you need to prove you deserve to be there by actually progressing.
They certainly did enough to win against Atletico, dominating apart from 20 minutes at the start of the second half. Referee Danny Makkelie got it wrong: the first penalty was correct, the second was a UEFA-style handball decision, but the third was an embarrassment. If it takes 13 views, it is not clear enough to be overturned. Seeing the referee change his mind with the crowd screaming and the opposition manager shouting in his ear looked like a sign of weakness and incompetence. That should give Arsenal even more incentive to finish the job.
