Viktor Gyokeres has urged a resurgent Arsenal to take advantage of an “amazing opportunity” as they approach their first-ever Champions League title.
The Gunners are one match away from the final for the first time in twenty years, a tournament they have yet to win.
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Arsenal will host Atletico Madrid in the critical second leg of their semi-final on Tuesday, with the tie evenly poised at 1-1 following Gyokeres’ penalty in the first leg last week, before Julian Alvarez equalized from the spot.
The Sweden international has maintained his strong form, scoring twice in Arsenal’s impressive 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, bringing his season total to 21 goals as Arsenal also pursues their first Premier League title since 2004.
On the eve of the pivotal match in north London, Gyokeres highlighted the squad’s positive energy.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room is great,” he stated. “We’re excited about every upcoming game, so it’s crucial to prepare well and translate that energy to the pitch. We find ourselves in this position for a reason.
Gyokeres looks to have hit form at just the right time after scoring twice against Fulham (Reuters)
“We’ve performed well throughout the season, but now, with these upcoming games, we need to excel to finish strong. What we’ve achieved so far has been incredible, but we need to follow through.”
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“It’s fantastic to play this match at home. We understand the stakes and the incredible opportunity we have to put on a great performance and enjoy it with our fans. We need to deliver on the pitch, and with their tremendous support, it could be a memorable night.”
Since his £64 million transfer from Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres had a slow start, scoring only three times in 11 matches, including a stretch of 10 games without an open-play goal.
However, he has rediscovered his form, netting five times in his last eight appearances, including a standout two-goal display against Fulham.
He added, “In football, it’s all about persistence, regardless of the challenges. You have to keep pushing forward. Each season presents its own hurdles, and we must tackle them and strive to improve in the next match.”
“That’s a key aspect. I’ve experienced scoring runs before, and of course, I want that again. Players are always more effective when they have confidence.”