Has much-maligned Gyokeres proved his critics wrong?

Saturday was also the first time that he has scored a goal and provided an assist in the first half of a league match since joining Arsenal . "He had a great performance," manager Mikel Arteta said when asked about Gyokeres' impact this week. "I think in Madrid, especially the first half, he was really good, and today, all the minutes that he's played as well, his contribution with the goals... "Every attacking action he was involved - scored two great goals. Position-wise, timing-wise as well - it's something that we've been working on. "It's going to give him a big boost of energy to him and confidence to the team as well." Bukayo Saka was back to his best after making his first start since March after an Achilles problem, and, alongside his goal to double Arsenal 's lead, he assisted Gyokeres' opener, the first time the winger has assisted the Swede in the Premier League. Arteta acknowledged that the pair "haven't played together much" because of injuries, but there were signs the pair could be clicking at the perfect time. "I have liked Gyokeres all season," former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Match of the Day. "I think he does so well for the team. He occupies defenders and I think his goal tally has been good this season.

This is when you need him now, during the run-in. "This is what you need when you bring a number nine into the club. This is when you need them most." It was also the first time Gyokeres has been involved in three goals in a match for Arsenal . "The best I have seen him play. He reminded me of a [Erling] Haaland," former Arsenal player Paul Merson said on Sky Sports. "I thought the players trusted him a lot more. "I have given him a lot of stick. If they win the league, he has been a brilliant buy. If they don't, maybe he hasn't. "He was put in the team to make sure they beat the lesser teams, and he has done.

You want your striker to get 20 goals and he has done that. "He was really good today and that is what they bought him for. Those performances haven't been there week in and week out, but if they are for the next four weeks - then money back." Gyokeres has five goals in his past eight matches, but it has not always been easy for the striker. He has been criticised for his all-round play, with questions about whether his ability holding the ball up and linking play is good enough for an Arsenal team. Before Saturday his goals in the Premier League had earned only two points for Arsenal in their title challenge, but, after one of his season-best performances and goals against Fulham , that is now at five. Fulham were also only the second team he has scored against who were in the top 10, although his goal per minute ratio is the fifth highest in the league. Gyokeres was signed for his ability to find the net but also in how he opens up the space for his attackers around him, with one of his main attributes being his powerful running when going behind the opposition defence. The fewest goals from a Premier League-winning team's leading scorer is Frank Lampard with 13 when Chelsea lifted the trophy in the 2004-05 campaign, and that was matched in Manchester City 's 2020-21 title-winning season. At one point it did not look like Gyokeres would reach that tally, but he is now at 14 goals in the league, which is another positive sign for the Gunners when they look to end their 22-year wait for a league title. Kai Havertz has struggled to remain fit this season, which has placed a burden on Gyokeres to lead the line in the majority of the Gunners' games this season.

Havertz is one of Arteta's favourite players and would likely have started some of the games against the division's top sides, with Gyokeres used from the bench - like the pair were utilised in the defeat last month. But in a season when a number of Arsenal 's attackers have been unavailable because of injury, Gyokeres' robustness must be praised. Arsenal have lost only three games with him in the starting XI and, with three league games to go, the forward's effort and goals could be rewarded with the Premier League trophy.