Top News

Gabriel Martinelli has shown Viktor Gyokeres some love on social media after his Arsenal teammate posted for the first time in a month.

The striker had stayed away from posting on Instagram since scoring a penalty against Everton five days before Christmas. Gyokeres went four Premier League matches without scoring during that social media silence.

That drought ended in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea after he got Arsenal's second goal and assisted Martin Zubimendi for their third in a 3-2 win at Stamford Bridge. Gyokeres, though, could not break the deadlock in the Gunners' 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.

• Arsenal loan fee details emerge as Roberto De Zerbi makes Ethan Nwaneri debut claim
• Arsenal face Premier League title race despair as Mikel Arteta encounters major problem

The striker then dropped down to the bench against Inter at San Siro. But after replacing Gabriel Jesus, who was on a hat-trick, for the final 15 minutes, Gyokeres got a third late on to seal a 3-1 win and qualification for the round of 16.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

A day after that game, he was active on Instagram once again, posting photos of himself scoring and celebrating. Gyokeres captioned the post: "CL nights".

Martinelli was one teammate to show him support, commenting with two red hearts. Several more liked the post, including Cristhian Mosquera, Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jesus, Jurrien Timber, Leandro Trossard, Martinelli, Mikel Merino, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori, William Saliba and Zubimendi.

Jesus also spoke after the match about his delight at Gyokeres scoring as a substitute. He told Amazon Prime Video: "I was so happy that Vik came on and scored a goal.

"[Being] a striker without goals is always difficult; I have been fighting with this all my career. I'm so happy that I scored and Vik scored."

The Brazilian also spoke openly about Arsenal's rotation of their strikers, adding: "Obviously, everyone wants to start, everyone wants to play, to get minutes, to get the chances. I'm a very respectful guy, I understand the situation.

"I'm not a kid anymore, I'm 28 - it looks like I'm still young, I'm old, but I'm still young. So I understand football, I understand how it works."

Mikel Arteta also praised both players. The Arsenal boss said: "We've been missing Gabi [Jesus] a lot, and I think it's going to raise his confidence level and the team's because we have now different profiles in that position, like we have with the wingers.

"And the fact that those players are playing at that level, Viktor comes in and has a great impact as well in the game, it's only making us better, and that's what we're seeking."