Gyokeres Delivers When It Matters Most as Arsenal's Quadruple Dream Looks Genuinely Real

Arsenal have every reason to pursue the quadruple this season. Tuesday night's commanding performance in Milan—a 3-1 victory over Serie A leaders Inter—combined with a timely contribution from Viktor Gyokeres, suggests the Gunners possess both the firepower and the squad depth to challenge for everything.

Compare this to last season's limp 1-0 defeat at the San Siro, and the difference is stark. Arteta fielded a genuinely formidable XI and the football was a world apart. Gabriel Jesus proved the point early on, bagging twice in the opening 45 minutes to settle any nerves.

The Gyokeres situation bears examining. The £64m acquisition last summer arrived as the final piece of the puzzle—the elite number nine Arsenal had desperately lacked. Instead, his campaign has largely disappointed, though a fortunate finish against Chelsea midweek offered a glimmer of hope. For much of Tuesday's proceedings, he looked out of sorts whilst Jesus ran the show. Then, just when his stock appeared to be sinking further, he curled in a beauty to seal the points. Suddenly, there's genuine optimism that the real Gyokeres might finally be arriving.

The numbers tell an extraordinary story. Seven Champions League matches. Seven victories. Twenty goals scored, just two conceded. Top-two finish already guaranteed. Arsenal can only miss first place if they lose at home to Kairat Almaty next week.

Domestically, it's equally impressive. Seven points clear at the Premier League summit with 16 matches still to play. Forty goals for, fourteen against. Just two defeats all season. Seven games unbeaten. Not mathematically settled, but the favourites' tag sits comfortably.

The domestic cup competitions offer further encouragement. A fourth-round FA Cup tie against League One Wigan Athletic awaits at home. The Carabao Cup semi-final saw them beat Chelsea 3-2 away in the first leg—one foot already through the door.

Every year, talk of an English quadruple emerges. Every year, it fails to materialise. Supporters convince themselves this is finally the moment. Perhaps this time they're right.

The concern has always been the forward line. Should Gyokeres' strike prove the catalyst his campaign desperately needed, Arsenal could become genuinely formidable. Their rivals are struggling. Manchester City's wobble continues. Aston Villa received a harsh lesson from Everton. Manchester United have exited the FA Cup. Chelsea's managerial situation remains chaotic. Tottenham's boss is an Arsenal sympathiser. Liverpool, despite their 12-game unbeaten run, remain unconvincing.

Remarkably, Arsenal are viewed as genuine contenders even in the Champions League—the one competition where they arguably shouldn't be favourites.

Upsets will happen; that's football's nature. Plymouth Argyle eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup last term. Southampton's Nathan Jones stopped Manchester City's treble attempt in 2022-23. So who becomes Arteta's equivalent obstacle?

The greatest threat might be Arsenal themselves. They've clearly learned from previous late-season stumbles and possess the quality to claim at least one trophy. The Premier League represents their primary objective—ending a 22-year championship drought. But a first European Cup in 70 years tantalises. And becoming the first English side to win all four major trophies? That would be genuinely historic.

The squad has the depth. Quality exists throughout, though the forward position remains a question mark. Gyokeres' jury remains out.

Yet if Tuesday's finish marks a genuine turning point, Arsenal could become unstoppable. They already represent decent value for a trophy. With Gyokeres firing properly, they might just be value for something far more extraordinary.