Viktor Gyokeres has travelled abroad after Arsenal’s heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the weekend
Viktor Gyokeres has been photographed in Portugal just days after Arsenal’s potentially decisive Premier League defeat to Manchester City. With Mikel Arteta granting his squad two days off this week, the Swedish forward seized the chance to travel abroad.
Gyokeres returned to the city he once called home, Lisbon, where he enjoyed two successful seasons with Sporting CP. During his stay, he visited the renowned traditional restaurant Solar dos Presuntos, owned by well-known Sporting supporter Pedro Cardoso, the son of former Portugal national team chef Evaristo Cardoso.
While there, Gyokeres posed for photos with staff, which were shared on the restaurant’s social media channels on Tuesday. The caption read: “Back at Solar dos Presuntos, Viktor Gyokeres. Away from the sights, representing Arsenal, always close to the heart.”
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It comes during a difficult period for Arsenal. The Gunners have effectively blown a nine-point lead at the Premier League summit and Sunday’s defeat at the Etihad Stadium means City could now overtake them at the top with a victory over Burnley on Wednesday evening.
For Gyokeres, it’s been an inconsistent first season in England. The Sweden international has netted a reasonable 18 goals across all competitions this term but has often looked well short of his scintillating best as he continues adjusting to the demands and pace of Premier League football.
Despite scoring in Arsenal’s previous two league matches, Gyokeres was named on the bench against City, with Kai Havertz preferred as the starting centre forward. He was introduced late on as Arsenal searched for an equaliser but was unable to make an impact in a narrow 2-1 defeat.
In an attempt to reinvigorate his squad, Arteta afforded his players a brief respite, hoping the time away will help restore their physical and mental energy ahead of Arsenal’s crucial encounter with Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
After that, they travel to face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, a daunting tie against the Spanish giants. Arsenal are aiming for a place in the final of Europe’s elite club competition for just the second time in their history and the first since 2006, when they were defeated by Barcelona.
Just weeks ago, Arsenal were challenging for an historic quadruple. Now, their campaign teeters on a knife-edge after surrendering their grip at the top of the Premier League, losing the League Cup final to Man City and suffering an FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton.
This brief reset could prove pivotal in determining whether Arteta’s side can rediscover their form in time to salvage silverware and keep their trophy ambitions alive.
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