Portuguese media have responded to Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres' performance against Sporting CP
Viktor Gyokeres and Eduardo Quaresma
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has been criticised for his performance against Sporting CP(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Viktor Gyokeres has been criticised by Portuguese media following his display against Sporting CP. The Arsenal forward was substituted early in the second half against his former club at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners progressed to the Champions League semi-finals after protecting their 1-0 advantage from the first leg. It was a nervy 0-0 draw in the second leg but Mikel Arteta's men kept their composure to reach the final four of the competition for the second consecutive year.
The fixture held special significance for Gyokeres, who moved to Arsenal from the Portuguese side in the summer. Yet he failed to find the net across both matches, with Kai Havertz's strike proving the difference.
The ex-Sporting player enjoyed a remarkable period in Lisbon, netting 97 goals in 102 appearances and helping the club secure two league titles. However, Sporting's former hero failed to win over the Portuguese press with his showing on Wednesday.
A Bola published Arsenal player ratings and handed Gyokeres the team's joint-lowest mark. The Sweden striker received a three out of 10 alongside Gunners defender Cristhian Mosquera.
The Portuguese outlet referred to the striker by his middle name Einar as "neither Viktor nor, much less, Gyokeres set foot in the Emirates". In a scathing verdict, the publication implied he had actually helped Sporting's backline.
Before making way for Havertz, A Bola reported that Gyokeres had "simply acted as a fourth central defender" for the opposition. During a difficult evening for Arteta's side, the forward toiled against Sporting's three-man defence.
The A Bola player ratings assessment concluded: "Nobody needed to put him in their pocket; he simply didn't appear."
Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals as the club chase a place in the Champions League final for the first time in two decades. Gyokeres will be hoping to retain his starting berth for the vital European fixtures, having netted twice against Diego Simeone's team during the group stage.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres was substituted early in the second half(Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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The 27-year-old has found himself under scrutiny throughout his first campaign with the Gunners. However, he has managed 18 goals across 46 matches in all competitions, including four from 10 Champions League outings.
Before joining Arsenal, Gyokeres had been considered one of Europe's premier strikers through his performances with Sporting. Speaking to football.london, he recently shared his thoughts on facing his old colleagues during the first leg in Lisbon.
"I haven't been there for a while, and to play against them was, yeah, of course, a little bit strange to come back there and to play on the other side because I haven't really done that before in my career," Gyokeres explained. "It was a nice feeling and great to be back there, and, of course, to win the game was what we all wanted."
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