Viktor Gyökeres scored in all four of Sweden’s recent Nations League matches, but it wasn’t enough to earn him a place in coach Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup.
Not this time either.
Gyökeres got a longer run as a substitute against Leeds, replacing Kai Havertz in the 63rd minute. That meant the Swede was on the pitch when substitute Bruno Guimarães made it 2-1 just seven minutes later, securing three points for Arsenal as Premier League football resumed after the international break.
“He will play games and he will get his minutes. And the best way is when you come on the pitch you show how good you are. It’s that simple,” Arteta said of Gyökeres at the post-match press conference.
Top scorer last season
With the victory, Arsenal are level on points (15) with leaders Manchester City, who have played one fewer game and face Liverpool away on Sunday.
Last season, Viktor Gyökeres was Arsenal’s top scorer, with 14 goals in 36 games, as the Gunners won the league title. However, before the match against Leeds, he had made only two brief substitute appearances in five games.
Gyökeres did not come closer than a half-chance in stoppage time, when Leeds goalkeeper James Trafford made a mistake while tackling.
Assist by Gudmundsson
Leeds, who were unbeaten in the autumn before the match, took the lead in the 55th minute when a cross from the left by Sweden international Gabriel Gudmundsson reached James Justin, who found the net.
Riccardo Calafiori equalized just seven minutes later. Then Bruno Guimarães decided the match.
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