Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed the finest night of his Gunners career so far on Tuesday with a brace against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid – and teammate Gabriel Martinelli has praised the striker for something he does ‘every day’ in training.
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres came to the Emirates Stadium as the striker that Mikel Arteta had been chasing for the past three years.
The Gunners signed Gabriel Jesus to act as an out-and-out striker in 2022, whilst Kai Havertz joined in 2023 to add some firepower to their attack, but neither proved to be natural strikers despite chipping in with goals somewhat regularly.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
The Swedish star’s record in Portugal at Sporting Lisbon was outstanding, prompting Arsenal to sign Gyokeres for £64million, and he’s done well so far. But it’s behind the scenes where he’s impressed most, according to Gabriel Martinelli.
Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Gabriel Martinelli says Viktor Gyokeres deserves plaudits for hard work in training
Doubts were raised over Gyokeres’ adaptability to the Premier League, and with three goals in eight games, he’s not done awfully.
However, fans and pundits have criticised the 27-year-old for some of his performances. Former Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson hit back at supporters for slamming Viktor Gyokeres, and with his brace against Atletico Madrid, the striker is now back in goalscoring form.
But Martinelli believes it has always been coming, with Gyokeres’ work rate in training being the reason for his results on the pitch. The Brazilian winger said after their 4-0 win:
“We know it’s not easy to adapt to the Premier League.
“Coming to such a big club isn’t easy either, but he’s an incredible guy, everyone likes him, and he works hard.
“We see it every day, how much he wants it, how much effort he’s putting in, and how much he deserves those goals.
“Today he scored two and was man of the match, he earned it. As I said, he’s been working really hard to help the team.”
With fixtures against newly-promoted teams coming up, Gyokeres will look to add to his Premier League tally to edge Arsenal into top spot by Christmas.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres in action against Olympiacos FC
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Arsenal are now more relentless than ever
There is no doubting that Arsenal have been one of, if not the best Premier League teams over the past three years.
A trio of second-placed finishes means that they are still to see the top-flight title in North London, but the Gunners are more relentless than ever at present.
Crucially, the Gunners are affecting more areas of the pitch than ever. Bukayo Saka is ‘one of the world’s best decision-makers’ according to Micah Richards, whilst Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard are good enough to break teams down. Their defence is watertight, having only conceded three in the league this season, and it’s extremely difficult for clubs to get one over Arsenal.
Jamie Carragher admitted Arsenal’s corners see him worried for Liverpool’s title credentials, and if they can’t play past you on the floor, Mikel Arteta’s men will put you under severe pressure from corner kicks.
Add Gyokeres’ ability to stretch teams and finish in the area, and it’s made Arsenal more relentless than ever.