Viktor Gyökeres says he intends to build on his midweek double against Atlético Madrid, describing the win as a spark that has reignited his confidence in front of goal.
The Swedish forward ended a seven-game drought with two goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 Champions League victory at the Emirates, taking his tally to five for the season from just 11 starts.
Signed from Sporting Lisbon for £58 million after scoring 97 times in 102 appearances, Gyökeres now hopes to carry that form in front of goal into the Premier League when Crystal Palace visit north London on Sunday.
“I’m more hungry now,” Gyökeres said. “You always want to contribute with work rate and other stuff, but when you score goals as well, it’s a bit special. So that’s something I always want to do.”
After the game, Mikel Arteta challenged him after the match to sustain his momentum in domestic competitions. Gyökeres said he is relishing the challenge. “The group we have and the spirit is something different and something very special,” he added.
“When you win games and you do these performances, it builds confidence in the team. The belief has to always be there, but of course this helps to boost it. We just want to keep going like this.”
Gyökeres’s contribution has gone far beyond goals. Data from Opta shows he leads the Premier League in pressures applied in the final third, in the opposition penalty area, and in high-intensity pressing sequences. No forward in England has applied more pressure in attacking zones than the Swede, who has also made the most off-the-ball runs into the box across the division.
That intensity has been central to Arsenal’s dominance this season. They have conceded only three goals in their first 12 matches in all competitions, just one from open play, while keeping three clean sheets from three in Europe and five from eight in the Premier League. Gyökeres has played a role in that, with six clearances and 16 recoveries, so far.
Gyökeres, who won the 2025 Gerd Müller Trophy as Europe’s top goalscorer with 63 for club and country, already looks embedded in Arteta’s high-energy system, combining relentless movement with an instinctive understanding of space.
He has registered 14 shots, with seven on target in the league, both team highs, and has also created five chances from open play.
After a performance that condemned Atlético to their joint-biggest defeat in the Champions League and reminded critics of his pedigree, the forward’s focus is now on sustaining that standard. “When you win like that, it gives you belief,” he said.
“We just want to keep going.”