Viktor Gyokeres says it was a “great feeling” to play back at Sporting CP’s home ground on Tuesday night, his first game against his former club.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres joined the club after a protracted transfer saga last summer, with Sporting CP dragging the deal out to secure every last penny they felt they were owed.
Given the story dominated the headlines for much of last summer, it could have ended up turning the Sporting fans against their former hero.
Yet Gyokeres clearly didn’t feel negatively targeted by the home support during Tuesday night’s match back at his old ground, playing for Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Instead, the striker thanked the Sporting fans for their welcome, admitting it was good to be back.
“Great feeling being back to this special place with a lot of memories,” Gyokeres wrote on Instagram. “Thanks for the reception, on to the next one.”
There was no goal for the ex-Sporting striker on the night, and in fact he got one goal ruled out for an offside in the build-up to Martin Zubimendi’s finish.
But the 27-year-old kept working, as he always does, and Kai Havertz was ultimately grateful for the Sweden international’s role in his winning goal.
“All in all, top goal,” Havertz told Arsenal. “Thanks to Gabi Martinelli and to Viktor [Gyokeres], who created the space.”
Gyokeres will have another opportunity to bag a goal against his old club when Sporting visit the Emirates Stadium next Wednesday, but perhaps it’s for the best that someone else got the winner in Lisbon.
Given Gyokeres’ 97 goals and two league titles in two seasons with Sporting, it would be a shame if his relationship with his old fanbase broke down.