Viktor Gyokeres scored a dramatic late winner for Sweden against Poland on Tuesday night, and the Arsenal striker will now turn his attentions back to the Premier League title race
Viktor Gyokeres
The next few weeks will be crucial for Viktor Gyokeres and Arsenal in the title run‑in(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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Viktor Gyokeres knows he must now refocus his attention on Arsenal after firing Sweden to World Cup qualification, netting an 88th‐minute winner in a thrilling 3-2 triumph over Poland on Tuesday night. The frontman was perfectly positioned to sweep home the all-important third goal.
However, thoughts will quickly shift back to Arsenal as he returns to north London, with Mikel Arteta's side entering a pivotal run-in ahead of the final day of the season on 24 May. Any stumble between now and then could prove devastating in their quest to end their lengthy Premier League title wait.
Manchester City sit nine points adrift, though they possess a game in hand against Crystal Palace. Victory for Pep Guardiola's men would trim the deficit to six points and, as football has repeatedly demonstrated, even a commanding lead can vanish rapidly should Arsenal start dropping points.
That will demand the Swede remains razor-sharp whenever opportunities fall his way, as those decisive moments could ultimately determine whether Arsenal lift the title.
Reflecting on Sweden's victory, Gyokeres told Viaplay at the Strawberry Arena: "Regardless of whether you get a lot of balls or not, you try to be connected and present.
Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres will be keen to play a key role for Arsenal in the final few weeks of the run‑in(Image: Getty Images)
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"That was me, especially at the end when we had some half-dangerous chances. We believed in it until the end and that is why we are in the World Cup.
"We believed in it until the end and that is why we are in the World Cup."
That identical mindset could just as easily describe Arsenal and their Premier League aspirations. Just as Sweden's determination saw them through, Arsenal's chances will depend on sustaining that very same belief during the crucial weeks that lie ahead.
Yet a possible setback could be their mounting injury list, though with the Premier League not resuming until the second weekend of April, Arteta will be hoping for some players to return to fitness.
England trio Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka all departed the national team camp prematurely.
Martin Zubimendi pulled out of the Spain squad with a knee complaint, while Ecuador released Piero Hincapie after he allegedly sustained a hamstring injury.
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They join William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard, who had previously been ruled out of international duty.
Arsenal resume their campaign in the FA Cup quarter‑finals with a trip to Southampton on Saturday (April 4), before travelling to Lisbon to face Gyokeres' former club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, in the Champions League next Tuesday (April 7).
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