-
Viktor Gyokeres delivered an impressive performance with a goal and an assist to inspire Arsenal to a 2-1 victory over Slavia Praha in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter at the Fortuna Arena.
-
The Swedish striker opened his account for the night by setting up Noni Madueke for Arsenal’s ninth-minute opener before doubling the Gunners’ advantage with a close-range finish in the 38th minute.
-
Despite dominating the first half, Arsenal struggled to maintain their intensity after the break, allowing Slavia Praha to register 17 shots before Wiktor Nowak scored a late consolation goal in the 90th minute.
-
Mikel Arteta criticised his team’s second-half display, admitting that Arsenal fell below their expected standards and failed to control the game, although he was pleased that his players found a way to secure all three points.
November 5, (THEWILL) – Viktor Gyokeres provided a match-winning performance to lead Arsenal to a 2-1 win over Slavia Praha in the Champions League at the Fortuna Arena on Wednesday.
Arteta made six changes to the side that defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday with Gyokeres replacing Kai Havertz.
The Swedish striker reminded his coach of what he was missing by keeping him on the bench with a stunning performance that produced an assist and a goal.
Gyokeres assisted Noni Madueke for the opening goal in the ninth minute.
He turned goalscorer in the 38th minute with a close range finish.
Wiktor Nowak scored consolation goal for Slavia Praha in the 90th minute. The Gunners survived a late onslaught by the hosts to win.
Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, was not pleased with his team’s performance in the second half.
He said: “Two very different halves. The first one, we played a really high level. Exceptional at times I would say. The scoreline should reflect three or fouls goals.
“We didn’t do it and at half-time I told them. They are a team with a huge spirit that will keep running, keep believing. They will become even more chaotic.
“We didn’t control that at all. Right from the beginning of the first half we were on the back foot. Very sloppy. We gave so many balls away, so many bad clearances, we didn’t keep the ball or the structure at all.
“Then you have to suffer because the teams in the Champions League are really good. A lot to learn.”
READ ALSO:
Slavia registered 17 shots in the match, five more than Arsenal.
Arteta admitted that the team were below-par in the encounter.
He added: “We were extremely far from our standards in everything that we have to do. In every basic, in every concept and in everything that we discussed to avoid the game that we played in the second half.
“Very far from the standards that we expect from each other but we found a way to hold on to a result and win the game.”
Gyokeres has scored two goals in 12 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions this season.
Arsenal will be back in action when they take on Hull City in the Premier League on Sunday.
