Arsenal moved into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, but not every performance on the night was defined by goals or headlines.
While Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice took the spotlight, attention has also turned to the quieter contribution of Viktor Gyokeres.
The striker did not get on the scoresheet, yet his role in the overall performance has drawn praise. Former Arsenal defender Matt Upson offered an interesting assessment, suggesting Gyokeres’ impact goes beyond what most fans immediately notice.
Viktor Gyokeres Arsenal performance vs Bayer Leverkusen
Gyokeres’ outing vs Bayer Leverkusen was not about standout moments in front of goal but it was more about physical presence and movement. He occupied defenders, created space, and linked play in key areas. There were flashes where he drove forward or looked to combine with teammates, but the final touch often lacked precision.
Even so, his overall contribution helped Arsenal maintain attacking pressure throughout the match.
It was a performance that may not stand out in highlights, but it played a role in the team’s control of the game.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Matt Upson highlighted the striker’s development. “Viktor Gyokeres is slowly getting better. His performance and hold up plays are getting better. He probably has more goals than you think, and some important goals where he’s made the difference.”
This performance showed us a clear example of how Arsenal are using him in big games because sometimes it is not about volume of shots and constant chances for your #9 but more about enabling others like creating space for players like Eze and supporting midfield runners such as Rice. And Gyokeres did that effectively, even without a goal.
While he may not have taken the headlines against Bayer Leverkusen, his contribution exceptional as he continues to build confidence at N5.
