LONDON: Striker Viktor Gyokeres announced himself to Arsenal’s fans with two goals in a 5-0 Premier League win over Leeds in his first home league game, with his opener reminding many of them of their previous hero in the number 14 shirt he now wears, Thierry Henry.
After a stuttering start, the 27-year-old brought the crowd to their feet in the 48th minute, cutting in from the left like Henry in his prime before sending a low shot in at the near post and wheeling away to celebrate.
But while his French predecessor was all flair and elegance, the muscular Swede banked on his physicality and surging power, giving the fans a taste of what is to come following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
“I’m comfortable when the ball is coming in behind, especially on the left, and then cutting inside, and I know I’ll take the chance when I have it like that. It was nice goal to start off with,” the modest Swede told Sky Sports.
He added a penalty in second-half stoppage time to make it two goals in two Premier League games for the Gunners, who will be looking to him to keep that striker rate up as they seek to finally win the league after three consecutive second-placed finishes in the league.
“Viktor is so powerful and determined in his actions, and you see that when he has the space he can attack people,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
