Ex-Arsenal star handed immediate Viktor Gyokeres response after ending goal drought

Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres has vindicated former striker Jeremie Aliadiere's predictions after breaking his goal drought against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Sweden international found the net for the Gunners for the first time since his strike during the victory over Nottingham Forest at the start of September - supporting the ex-forward's assertions that goals would arrive for the 27-year-old.

Despite his limited goalscoring return in the final third, Mikel Arteta's team have maintained their impressive form and avoided any European slip-ups whilst Premier League title contenders, Liverpool, have permitted them to close a four-point deficit to the defending champions. Gyokeres arrived back in England's elite division carrying a fearsome reputation following his emergence as one of Europe's most deadly marksmen.

Whilst the opening chapter of his north London journey hasn't been adorned with goals, he has netted five times in 12 outings across all competitions, though Aliadiere remains confident he will deliver.

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"I think his work-rate, everything he gives and brings to the team has been good," he said speaking to football.london earlier this week, via WhichBookie.

"Apart from scoring more goals, that's obvious, you want him to score more goals obviously, but he's brought to the team something different because they [Arsenal] play a different way.

"We haven't had a pure No.9 for a few years now, having him, making them runs, pressing, holding the ball and all that kind of stuff, he's worked so hard.

"I'm sure if he carries on, I'm sure the goals will come. I think the goals will soon follow.

"I just feel because he's so eager to work so hard for the team, I feel sometimes because he's worked so hard, unselfish runs, I do feel when he gets his chance, he's not quite there.

"He's not in the right position because of the work he has done previously in the same.

"When you look at the work he's done previously, I know how he feels, he has ran everywhere, pressed and suddenly 70 minutes in, you've got nothing left. You're tired, your composure has gone and then you're not quite there.

"I think he might need to balance his hard work with trying to be selfish and think, 'I need to score goals and stay in the box so when I get that chance I take it'. Overall, he's been a massive plus since he's come in, we've been a different team."

Gyokeres took on the No.14 shirt upon his arrival, following in Thierry Henry's footsteps.

Some have suggested that the burden of inheriting the jersey from the legendary French striker is placing undue pressure on the Sweden international.

Nevertheless, Aliadiere dismissed this theory, stating: "I don't think it should [carry pressure after Thierry Henry's success], in my eyes it doesn't.

"But I'm an ex-player and I've played myself, I know in terms of the fanbase know what Thierry Henry represents with the No.14, they may make a bit of comparison and start thinking, 'you've taken the No.14, we want the same outcome'.

"I don't think it should make any different whatever number he wears but it could have a bit of extra pressure."