Arsenal on the right path to getting best out of Viktor Gyokeres – Mikel Arteta
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Viktor Gyokeres said he is "blessed" to train alongside Gabriel and William Saliba, believing the Arsenal pairing are as good as it gets for a centre-back partnership.
David Raya is closing in on another Golden Glove, having kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, and the two defenders in front of him have played a big part in that.
Gabriel and Saliba have established themselves as one of the best partnerships in world football and Arsenal will hope they can be the foundations for the club's progression into just a second ever Champions League final.
Arsenal host Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night in the second leg of the semi-final tie after a 1-1 draw in Spain last week.
"I think in training, I don’t think you can get any better centre backs than what we have," Gyokeres said.
"Of course it’s great to train against them and go up against them. Incredible players, I’m blessed to train with them."
Gyokeres scored twice against Fulham on Saturday to take his tally for the season to 21 goals in all competitions.
Viktor Gyokeres bagged a brace against Fulham last time out
The Swede has been in much better form since the turn of the year, with 14 of those goals coming in 2026, and he is feeling more comfortable at Arsenal with every match.
"You come into the group even more, you get to know the players," Gyokeres said.
"Everything around your life in general when you change club. When you get into your routine and every day work, on course on the pitch as well to play together with your team-mates game after game."
Gyokeres has converted his last 27 penalties, including a typically emphatic spot-kick against Fulham.
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That could be a particularly useful trait for Arsenal if the semi-final tie remains level after 120 minutes on Tuesday, and Gyokeres revealed just how calm he is when stepping up to the spot.
"Don't try to think too much and just put it in the back of the net," Gyokeres said.
"That's what goes through my mind."
Asked if Arsenal had been putting in more penalty practice ahead of the second leg, Gyokeres paused and then replied with a smile: "No comment."