Viktor Gyokeres says Arsenal “never stopped believing” in their title hopes after the 3-0 win over Fulham moved them six points clear of Manchester City.
Viktor Gyokeres says Arsenal “never stopped believing” in their Premier League title challenge after their 3-0 win over Fulham moved Mikel Arteta’s side six points clear at the top of the table.
Arsenal produced one of their most convincing performances of the run-in at the Emirates Stadium, with Gyokeres scoring twice and also playing a part in Bukayo Saka’s goal. The result strengthened their position before Manchester City’s game in hand and gave Arteta’s side momentum ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Gyokeres said the importance of the victory was clear.
“I think we controlled the game very well,” Gyokeres said. “Of course we knew in this stage we have to win the games that are left and we showed today that we got a good performance and of course important three points.”
The manner of the win was also significant. Arsenal had been forced to work hard in recent fixtures, but against Fulham they played with greater fluency from the start. Saka created the opener for Gyokeres, before the striker returned the favour for Arsenal’s second. Gyokeres then added his second goal before half-time to put the game beyond Marco Silva’s side.
Asked about the confidence in Arsenal’s performance, Gyokeres said the belief inside the squad had never gone away.
“I think we always go into the game believing that we’re going to play in a good way and create a lot of chances,” he said. “Today we did that and we enjoyed it.”
The Sweden international was also asked about the mood after Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester City, when Declan Rice was seen telling teammates that the race was not over. Gyokeres said that message reflected the feeling in the dressing room.
“We never stopped believing and we’re not going to do it,” he said. “That’s how it is and we keep going. It’s a lot to play for still and we’re just going to focus on the next one now.”
Gyokeres has now become the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in all competitions in his first season at the club since Alexis Sanchez in 2014/15. His latest display also came at an important moment personally, with Arsenal needing their forwards to find rhythm before the decisive weeks of the campaign.
The striker accepted it had been a positive period for both him and the team, but stressed Arsenal still have work to do.
“It’s been good,” he said. “We got some good results and it’s on a good path, but we have to stay there and keep going like this.”
Arsenal now have the Premier League title race and Champions League semi-final both firmly in view. Gyokeres admitted the squad can sense the size of the opportunity in front of them.
“There’s not so many games left now and we’re in a good position,” he said. “Of course we feel it.”
Fulham was another step forward for the Gunners, but with Atletico next and City still chasing, Gyokeres’ message was clear: Arsenal believe, but the focus has to stay on the next game.