Arsenal's 'best player' revealed in Champions League semi-final win over Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Gunners are into their first European Cup final in 20 years

Daniel Sturridge has said that Viktor Gyokeres was the “best player” on the park as Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League final.

It followed a 1-1 draw from the Estadio Metropolitano in a hard-fought first leg which saw the tie hanging in the balance ahead of the return fixture in north London.

However, it was Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders who found that decisive goal that sends them to Budapest to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the showpiece finale at the end of the month.

Star showing: Viktor Gyokeres

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“The drive and tenacity of the players [is what impressed most],” the former England striker said.

“[Myles] Lewis-Skelly was brilliant, controlling pace and the play.

“But Gyokeres was the best player tonight for me. He took so much pressure off the defenders, when you launch it up top thinking, ‘Can it stick, can you hold it up for us?’

“He did it all for them. Those are the performances that define top players.”

Gyokeres, who converted in the first leg from the penalty spot, was a nuisance up front for the home side, utilising his strength and pace in behind to occupy Robin Le Normand and David Hancko.

The Swede is up to 21 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions since joining the north London outfit from Sporting Lisbon last summer.