In a Champions League semifinal that will be remembered for its grit and determination, Arsenal booked their ticket to the final for the first time in two decades with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates. While the spotlight often shines on goal-scorers, it was the unselfish work of Viktor Gyokeres that had football legends Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, and Theo Walcott singing his praises.

The Swedish striker may not have found the back of the net, but his impact was undeniable. It was Gyokeres' intelligent run behind the defense that sparked the decisive move, culminating in Bukayo Saka's winning goal that sealed a 2-1 aggregate triumph. For a player who has faced questions about his goal tally this season, this was a performance that reminded everyone why Arsenal brought him to North London.

"Myles Lewis-Skelly was brilliant, controlling the tempo, and Declan Rice was excellent," Sturridge began, before singling out Gyokeres. "For me, he was the best player for Arsenal tonight. He caused so many problems and took the stress off the defense. When you launch it up top, you're thinking: can it stick? Can he hold it up? Can he advance us up the field? He did it all."

Sturridge went on to emphasize the value of such displays. "Those are the performances that define top players. He's been questioned all season about goals, but the performance he put in tonight was a clear reason why he signed for this football club. It's about more than just scoring—it's about doing the dirty work that wins you big games."

Theo Walcott, who knows a thing or two about playing for Arsenal, was equally impressed with how Gyokeres unsettled the Atletico defense. "He ran into the channels all day, and as a center-half, you don't want to go out there. He takes players into positions where they're uncomfortable. The center-halves today will never have a harder game, ever."

Wayne Rooney, never one to shy away from praising hard work, highlighted the often-overlooked aspects of Gyokeres' game. "He's been under pressure this season, and he's maybe not as pleasing on the eye as some other center-forwards around the world. But what he does is all the dirty work—and that's so important to the team. He didn't get his goal tonight, but he played a massive role in Arsenal winning this."

For Arsenal fans, this performance is a testament to the kind of player Gyokeres is: a relentless worker who leads the line and sacrifices personal glory for the team's success. As the Gunners prepare for their first Champions League final in 20 years, they know they have a striker who will fight for every ball, create space for others, and never stop running. Sometimes, the best players aren't the ones who score—they're the ones who make the goals possible.