LOVE is in the air at the Emirates — with everyone at Arsenal falling for Viktor Gyokeres.
So maybe it is more than just a coincidence that the £54.8million striker has started scoring consistently on the pitch since he got back with his missus Ines Aguiar.
Viktor Gyokeres now has 21 goals for Arsenal this season Credit: Getty
Viktor Gyokeres and Ines Aguiar are back together after a brief split Credit: X
split with the Portuguese actress before completing a summer move from Sporting to but now they are together again.
She was at the Emirates on Saturday night — and posting on social media — as Gyokeres scored twice and set upgoal to crush Fulham.
That helped Arsenal increase their gap at the top over to six points although the Gunners have played two games more.
The ex-Coventry forward has suffered his fair share of criticism and ridicule but whatever you think of him — and for many the jury will always be out — 21 goals is a respectable tally.
He is the first Arsenal player to score 20-plus goals in all competitions in a first season at the club sincein 2014-15.
Although the Swede has not been playing consistently well and still struggled in games recently, he was outstanding in the first half of last .
And he clearly took the confidence from that semi-final first leg into Saturday’s game as his all-round play was excellent.
Arsenal team-mate Riccardo Calafiori said: “I really like him. He changes the whole game when he plays.
“Even if he doesn’t touch the ball, it changes a lot for us. He’s doing really well. Obviously, when you are a striker you want to score. When you score, you are even more confident about yourself. He’s on a good level but can do even more.”
Julian Alvarez — a player Arsenal boss is interested in — will arrive in North London looking to fire Atletico into the Champions League final.
But if Gyokeres can deliver another massive performance up front, maybe even Arteta might decide to spend his money elsewhere in the summer.
It does feel like March was a big month for Gyokeres.
He scored the 89th-minute opener in a 2-0 home victory over Everton and while Max Dowman’s second goal landed all the headlines, Gyokeres effectively won the game.
Also that month, he swept his team into this summer’s World Cup finals.
Gyokeres scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 success over Ukraine to put his nation into a play-off final.
And the forward’s 88th-minute winner sealed a 3-2 triumph over Poland to earn Sweden a place at the tournament.
We really should not underestimate the effect that will have had on Gyokeres’ self-belief.
He could potentially end the season with 26 goals, the same tally as Thierry Henry managed in his first season.
Obviously, Gyokeres will never be in the same class as French legend Henry and he is already aged 27, so should now be at his peak.
Gyokeres is chasing down Arsenal fans’ favourite Thierry Henry and his first season record Credit: Getty
Ines Aguiar strikes a pose as she soaks up the sunshine Credit: Instagram
Admittedly, though, Gyokeres is bloody infuriating. And there are times when Arsenal look a more joined-up team with Kai Havertz up front.
But even if Havertz does return from yet another injury, Arteta will stick with Gyokeres.
The Swedish striker scored the first against a hopeless Fulham team after terrific work from fit-again Saka.
Gyokeres then turned provider for winger Saka, who scored only his tenth goal of the season.
He headed the third in first-half injury time and was taken off in the 64th minute ahead of Tuesday’s game.
Arteta also had the luxury of subbing England star Saka at the break and it was nice to see him playing so well as he has struggled at times.
Ines Aguiar boasts a large Instagram following with over 210K punters Credit: https://www.instagram.com/inesvarzeaaguiar/?hl=en
Ines Aguiar regularly posts online Credit: Instagram
He has been suffering with an Achilles injury as well as dealing with a long-standing knee issue.
Delighted with Saka’s eye-catching performance, Italian defender Calafiori said: “You have seen what he did and I think he still needs to find his form back again.
“But he is an unbelievable player and, as I said before, we want everyone available.
“He’s one of our best players and will help us a lot. I’m pretty confident for Tuesday.”
Arsenal should be confident ahead of Tuesday’s second leg with Atletico.
Although the clash will be very different to Saturday’s stroll against a team who looked like they were fighting relegation, rather than still aiming for Europe.
After a tense few weeks, beating Fulham felt like the day when Arsenal fans started believing again that they can win the Premier League.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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