Gyokeres excited to play with new attacking partner at Arsenal | OneFootball

Viktor Gyokeres insists Arsenal must keep their focus firmly on the present after his fourth goal in five Champions League games helped them to a 3-2 win over Kairat and offered a tantalising glimpse of what his partnership with Kai Havertz could become.

Much of the optimism surrounding Arsenal’s attack centres on the return of Havertz, who started his first match in 357 days and marked it with a goal and an assist. Gyokeres was quick to praise the German’s influence.

“It was great,” he said. “To get the ball from him so early on and score was amazing. Then he did great on the other two goals as well. I’m really, really happy for him.”

The Swede struck early as Arsenal started brightly, carving out a number of chances in an impressive first-half display. Gyokeres admitted the tempo dropped after the break, however, as the Gunners were unable to extend their lead.

“We started well and created good chances, especially in the first half,” Gyokeres said. “In the second half we didn’t play as fast or as direct, so we didn’t create as much. That’s why we didn’t score more goals.”

Still, the victory was an important response after the shock of last Sunday’s first home defeat of the season, when Manchester United snatched a late winner at the Emirates.

“Yes, we take the win,” Gyokeres added. “We’re all happy with the group phase and now we look forward to the knockout stages.”

Arsenal will discover their last-16 opponents in Friday’s draw, with Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Olympiacos all possible next steps in Europe. But Gyokeres was keen to stress that domestic matters come first, with a testing Premier League trip to Leeds looming as Mikel Arteta’s side search for their first league win in four games.

Reflecting on the mood after the United defeat, he said: “It was disappointing after the loss and how we lost it, but it can happen in football. The most important thing is how you react to it and what you do after.”

With Havertz fit again and Gyokeres thriving in Europe, Arsenal head to Elland Road believing momentum could yet swing back their way.