Viktor Gyökeres expressed that Arsenal’s emphatic derby victory over Tottenham was the “ideal reply” to critics of the club.
Gyökeres, along with Eberechi Eze, each netted twice, leading Arsenal to a 4-1 win against Spurs just four days after the team was held to a 2-2 draw by Wolves.
The disappointing result at Molineux sparked questions regarding Arsenal’s title credentials. Nonetheless, their impressive display against Tottenham, which moved them five points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, went a long way toward dispelling the doubts.
Gyökeres, who increased his season tally to ten league goals, remarked: “It’s always tough to bounce back after a result like we had against Wolves, but it’s all about how you respond, and we showed that in the best way today.”
“Achieving this result and performance is the ideal way to bounce back. It’s a positive indication, but we need to keep this momentum going in the next matches. We have a lot of games ahead, but if we maintain this level, we’ll do well.”
Mikel Arteta’s title-contending squad held a meeting following their surprising draw against bottom-placed Wolves.
Before the north London derby, Declan Rice highlighted that the players had a “firm” discussion among themselves.
Reflecting on their collective dynamics, Gyökeres noted, “Sometimes it’s crucial to be open and express your feelings within the team.”
“Most of us shared our thoughts. It helps everyone understand how different players feel at that moment. This openness brings the team closer, and it’s essential to engage in those discussions from time to time.”
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“Without honesty, it’s challenging to progress. We had a great conversation, enjoyed today’s win, and now we’ll prepare for a crucial match against Chelsea next weekend.”
For the first time in over two months, Arsenal will not have midweek matches after avoiding the Champions League playoffs.
Arsenal’s title rivals, Manchester City, are also set to return next weekend, facing Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday evening. Pep Guardiola mentioned he would allow his players some relaxation with cocktails in the days ahead.
In response to Guardiola’s comments, Arteta chuckled, stating, “Cocktails? I don’t drink cocktails. So we will have our own approach.”