Arsenal Is Reminded About The Quality Of Ruben Amorism's Former Child In Sporting CP
JAKARTA - Sporting CP is scheduled to host Arsenal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the fifth match of the 2024/2025 Champions League, Wednesday, November 27, 2024, early morning WIB.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya has warned his teammate that Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is the best player who is in his best form.
Gyokeres has become one of the most prolific strikers in Europe after scoring 24 goals in 17 games this season.
The performance attracted interest from a number of Premier League big clubs, such as Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, including Manchester United who wanted to make Gyokeres reunite with their former coach at Sporting, Ruben Amorim.
"We know his strength. How he runs a lot behind and scores a lot of goals in one on one."
"He is the best player who is at his best. We will try and make him very, very calm."
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"Don't give him any chance. We have to step up the defense. Hopefully we can do great work and keep the clean sheet," said David Raya.
However, Raya's concerns were denied by Mikel Arteta. The manager did not want to highlight Gyokeres in particular.
The Spaniard chose to focus on Sporting's collective threat, having beaten Manchester City 4-1 in Ruben Amorim's last game in the Champions League before becoming Manchester United coach.
Gyokeres scored three goals against The Citizens. Since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2022, he has scored 69 goals in 67 games in all competitions.
When asked how great the Swedish international was and how Arsenal were able to stop him, Arteta chose to focus on Sporting's record 19 outstanding matches this season, including 17 wins.
"I want to talk about the team, about coaches, and how phenomenal they are. Their performance is extraordinary."
"It shows that it's not only the quality, setting, ambition, but also the energy of the team they have."
"That's the big challenge we face tomorrow. We come and make statements and show that we are capable of fighting opponents like this. Be yourself and win the game," said Arteta.
However, Arteta also did not want to completely rule out Gyokeres' role considering the striker could be a differentiator in individual play.
"I understand the question, but they have a lot of individual qualities. That's why they can win matches in various ways."
"Yes, in certain positions he (Gyokeres) has great players," said Arteta again.
Arsenal are currently ranked 12th in the Champions League standings with a collection of seven points from two defeats, one draw, and one defeat.
While Sporting performed outstanding. As long as it is still carpentry, they are unbeaten in four Champions League matches, three wins and one draw, and are in second place in the standings.
Now, Sporting is starting a new fight in the Champions League without Ruben Amorim. The match against Arsenal will be Joao Pereira's first match to win Sporting in the Champions League.