Viktor Gyökeres go come back Arsenal with confidence after e set new Nations League record with four goals in four games for Sweden over international break. E score to give Sweden 1-0 win over Romania for Bucharest on Monday night, and that one extend him scoring streak for competition to seven straight games. The 28-year-old, wey sign for Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in £64 million ($85m) deal last summer, dem dey use am small this season by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, as e only make two substitute appearances for Premier League.
Gyökeres no show signs say him confidence drop for extended international window; e score in each fixture, starting with wins over Romania and Poland for Stockholm before 1-1 draw away to Bosnia and Herzegovina as Sweden go top Group B4. With Germany forward Kai Havertz picking up hamstring issue early in break and returning Arsenal for further assessment, Gyokeres fit come back to lead Gunners attack when Premier League action resume against Leeds on Saturday.
Gyökeres tell reporters say, ‘That means we win three games and draw one. It is good start to Nations League this year and for me e feel very good.’ He add say Romania hold ball too much and Sweden make things hard for themselves at times, but dem win match and keep clean sheet, so after match na nice feeling.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori score him first goal for Italy in 3-1 win over Turkey for Bologna. Calafiori, wey score for Arsenal after only 24 seconds in Community Shield win over Manchester City, hope to continue make plenty contributions inside opposition box.
Calafiori talk say, ‘Last year, I no get luck and I near at least five or six goals. This year season start quite well, but beyond numbers, I interested in contribution I give team. I try to be well physically — in end na that matter, because when I okay I can help in so many ways.’ Versatile full-back Calafiori reveal Arteta encourage am to make most of him attacking instincts. He talk say, ‘I speak to coach and he himself tell me say if I get this impulse to go attack spaces I must do am, because e come natural to me. Obviously e must be done with head, with ideas and right moments, but when dem leave me free I can express myself much better.’
Ahead of international break, Premier League champions Arsenal slip to first defeat of new season after dem well beaten 3-0 at Brighton. On Monday defender Ezri Konsa return early from England duty with quad issue, while Max Dowman pull out of under-19 squad, while Greece winger Christos Tzolis with hamstring be another concern. Midfielder Declan Rice withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad before three-week camp start but dem expect am to involve against Leeds.
For another report, Viktor Gyokeres hail record-breaking form in front of goal after leading Sweden to crucial 1-0 victory against Romania. The Arsenal striker find net for seventh successive Nations League fixture to secure all three points for Graham Potter’s side for Bucharest.
Viktor Gyokeres return to form come for perfect time for Arsenal. Striker go into international break low on confidence and with no real positives from him performances in early weeks of season for club level. But for country, na different story. Gyokeres get three goals in as many matches for Sweden and look far more like ruthless striker Arsenal need. That na very welcome news for Mikel Arteta.
With Kai Havertz pick hamstring injury while on Germany duty, Gyokeres set to get him chance for Premier League. Dem no believe Havertz injury serious but no exact timeframe for recovery yet. As e stand, e look likely say Gyokeres go lead line when Arsenal host Leeds on Saturday, opponent wey e score three times against last season. That one suppose be another confidence boost for forward. Arteta also get option to start Mikel Merino up front instead, and the Spaniard more of enabler when e come to combining with those around him than Gyokeres. But e go surprise if Arteta no turn to Gyokeres after him impressive run with Sweden.
There be more for Arteta to ponder on wing. Christos Tzolis also suffer hamstring injury while playing for Greece and look set to miss around three weeks. Eberechi Eze don share minutes on left so far this season with Tzolis and na obvious candidate to get run of matches. Arteta don praise improvements Eze make off ball for that position, fulfilling him duties tracking back and helping full-back. Arsenal best performances in attack this season come when front line interchange fluidly.
Gyokeres no go offer that in same way Havertz does, but Eze comfortable when e drift into central positions and e be way for Arteta to get both him and Martin Odegaard in same lineup. However, Arteta fit also consider other options to add different element to attack. Noni Madueke feature on left wing in early stages of last season but e barely get minute there since. He would though offer point of difference. Madueke no go displace Bukayo Saka in team on right wing but him pace be useful attribute to try make use of. Playing am on left go increase Arsenal threat in behind and make am more difficult for pressing sides to pin dem in. Madueke predominantly left-footed and Gyokeres would prefer say he dey play on that wing than Eze, wey get instinct to cut inside. Madueke na natural winger and more direct runner, getting to byline and putting in crosses. Gyokeres no be player to create chances for himself out of nothing and service go important. Arteta fit get more experimental, whether na moving Saka over to left or finding way to get Max Dowman into team. That one feel more unlikely for now. Arteta go want minimise disruption and him right wing don be key strength so far this season.
