FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 - Source: Getty
FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 - Source: Getty
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised under-fire striker Viktor Gyokeres after his goal in their win over Inter Milan. The Sweden international came off the bench to round off the scoring against the Serie A giants as his side claimed a 3-1 win at the San Siro.
Arteta is spoiled for options at center-forward with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both back fit, alongside Gyokeres. After the Swede failed to score against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, he opted to name Jesus in the starting XI for the game in Milan.
Gyokeres came off the bench and scored, and his manager spoke glowingly about him in his post-match press conference. Arteta described his display as being greatly impactful and expressed his delight at the performance of the former Sporting Club striker.
"A great impact. The game was taking a shape that was fitting him very much and he had two big chances, he put one of them away, and I think he really helped the team. It’s very important. It’s the second away game that he’s done really well, he’s finding some consistency. He brings something very special to the team. That’s some finish and I’m very happy for him as well", he said (via Metro.co.uk).
Viktor Gyokeres replaced Gabriel Jesus after 75 minutes, and took nine minutes to score his third Champions League goal of the season. He took aim from outside the box and beat Yann Sommer with a strike that nestled in the top corner, sealing a superb win for his side.
Gyokeres has come under the microscope several times since making his big-money switch from Portugal to Arsenal last summer. The 27-year-old has now scored nine times in 27 appearances for the Gunners, averaging a goal every three games for the side.
Dominant Arsenal make history in Inter Milan win
Arsenal defeated Inter Milan 3-1 at the San Siro to make history and add the Italian giants to their list of high-profile scalps this season. Mikel Arteta's side made it seven wins from seven in the league phase this season, securing a top two finish and an automatic place in the Round of 16.
Gabriel Jesus led the line for the Gunners and needed just ten minutes to score his first Champions League goal since 2023. Arsenal were pegged back by an excellent strike from Petar Sucic in the 18th minute as the home side drew level in front of their fans.
Jesus scored his second of the evening shortly after the half-hour mark with a close-range finish following a corner kick. Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to add gloss to the scoreline with a fine finish from outside the penalty area in the 84th minute.
Arsenal exacted revenge on Inter Milan, last season's runners-up, having lost at the San Siro in the league phase last term. The Gunners have won seven games consecutively in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history.