Has much-maligned Gyokeres proved his critics wrong?

Breaking news from the world of sport: Has much-maligned Gyokeres proved his critics wrong? To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Arsenal beat Fulham to move six points clear of Manchester City By Alex Howell Arsenal reporter at Emirates Stadium Published 12 minutes ago The talk before the season was that Arsenal needed a 20-goal-a-season striker to win a trophy - and now they finally have one in Viktor Gyokeres.

The Sweden international has 21 goals in all competitions this season after his brace in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Fulham took them six points clear at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners signed Gyokeres in a deal worth about £64m last summer after he scored 97 goals in 102 games for Portuguese side Sporting. And with that fee, plus Gyokeres being billed as a 'win now' signing, expectation on the 27-year-old was at an all-time high.

Match Details

The former Coventry man has had plenty of critics this campaign but - after scoring a penalty in midweek against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final and now his two goals in an important match in the title race - Gyokeres' goals have moved Arsenal one step closer to silverware. Even though Gyokeres has been criticised for not offering enough in general play to this Arsenal side this season, none of that will be remembered if his goals fire them to the Premier League title. Gyokeres goals take Arsenal one step closer When Gyokeres opened the scoring in the ninth minute at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, it brought up his 20th goal of the season and made him the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals across all competitions in their first season at the club since Alexis Sanchez in 2014-15 (25 goals).

It has been a pivotal week for Gyokeres with his performance in the Champions League setting Arsenal up nicely for the second leg against Atletico on Tuesday. 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 Gyokeres 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.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.