Viktor Gyokeres issues perfect response after starting to prove Arsenal doubters wrong

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Viktor Gyokeres has finally found his goalscoring touch - but trophies are his real target.

Gyokeres has scored 21 goals in all competitions, has 17 goal involvements since the turn of the year and is coming good at the business end of the season.

The Arsenal striker was on target in the first leg at Atletico Madrid, scored twice against Fulham last Saturday and is in the hottest streak since his £64m arrival last summer.

But even though Gyokeres is beginning to win round some doubters, he is far more concerned about actually winning the major prizes as Premier League leaders Arsenal prepare for their Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has already told the players they can “define the history of the club” and that is what is driving Gyokeres rather than personal accolades.

Gyokeres, 27, said: “Yes, you want to score goals and to reach that is a good thing. But, the most important things are coming this month so yes, we will have to do our job and see where it gets us.

“I think we are in this position for a reason. We have done very well throughout the season but of course, now, with these games that are coming, we need to do well in these games to get us over the line. It has been incredible so far, what we have done but we have to do it now.

“It is a great feeling if we can achieve it but to also experience the position we are in. To play these kind of games is great.

“It is a good feeling in the dressing room, we are all very excited with every game that is coming so it is about preparing well to show that energy on the pitch.”

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Gyokeres' hitting form also coincided with him helping Sweden reach the World Cup finals with a hat trick against Ukraine in the semi finals and then a dramatic late winner in their play-off final against Poland.

Being a national hero probably gives you extra confidence and belief is now running through his veins. He was signed to be the 20-goal-a-season striker Arsenal needed but was reluctant to talk about his own targets.

“Yeah, I mean to do that with your country and to contribute when you’re playing for your country and to get to the World Cup especially how our qualification was incredible and it was amazing to achieve that and be part of that,” he said.

“Of course it’s great and of course it gives me a lot of confidence. But I think, like I said, it’s down to these games that are coming. After that, we can speak about targets.”

Gyokeres is known among his teammates for having an incredible mindset - an unshakeable belief - and it would be fair to say that there have been doubts along the way.

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His hold-up play, he does not always look quick and he has been compared unflatteringly to other strikers like Alexander Isak, Joao Pedro and Hugo Ekitike. But Gyokeres recounted some advice from Mikel Arteta before he even signed for the club about the challenge of adapting to English football.

He said: “For me, I don’t try to think too much about it. You’re ready and when you get your chance to play you want to prove yourself and do well.

“I think I’ve done that before [gone on a scoring run] and of course I want to do that. Every player is better when they have confidence. Of course it’s about keeping going in football, no matter what happens. You have to go again and again. There’s so many games.

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“The biggest challenge is to adapt and to come into a new routine and a new country because you have changed everything in your life and to adapt to that, you have to do it quickly and be ready for all the challenges that are coming. That is the biggest thing.

“There’s always going to be challenges throughout the season and you have to deal with those the best possible way and do better then next game. That’s a very important part.”

Gyokeres’ penalty in the first leg is the reason this tie is level. He has now scored 27 successful penalties in a row. It is fair to say he is very understated, very Scandinavian in his manner and, despite his reputation for smashing spot kicks, he is rather monotone in interviews.

When asked his secret to taking penalties, he added: “Just don’t try to think too much and just put it in the back of the net. That’s what goes through my mind.” And have the rest of the squad been practising penalties? “Er, no comment.”

Gyokeres lets his football do the talking.