Theo Walcott believes Viktor Gyokeres’ north London derby display was his best performance in an Arsenal shirt, praising the striker for an intelligent performance.
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Viktor Gyokeres was the star of the show and the Player of the Match winner in Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, scoring a brace to reach double figures for Premier League goals this season.
Speaking after the game, former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised Gyokeres’ performance as one of the best he’s seen from the player this season.
“Not just the goals, I felt today he really commanded that position,” Walcott told Sky Sports. “What was smart, at no point did he go see van de Ven. He knew where the weakness was in that Tottenham team.”
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“He showed everything that we expect him to bring to this league,” Walcott added. “He brought the best out of the other players around him as well. And that’s what we want to see, that’s what we expected to see coming into this league.
“Massive signing, it’s one of those where you want to give him time, but if they want to win the league he hasn’t been fortunate to have that time. For me, that was the best performance I’ve ever seen from him.
“They played to his strengths today and I think that’s when you’re going to get the best out of Gyokeres. Very confident right now, and that’s what they’re going to need.”
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Walcott is right to suggest it wasn’t just Gyokeres’ two goals that made it a good display.
The striker had an early header well blocked, he went close with a curling effort towards the far post, he set up a great chance for William Saliba with a clever corner routine, and his lay-off to Bukayo Saka ultimately led to Arsenal’s third goal – scored by Eberechi Eze.
Gyokeres has certainly had games this season where he’s been less impactful, but he easily could have been involved in three or four goals on this occasion. As for the two he did score, they were both very well taken and well deserved.