What Viktor Gyokeres found strange after emotional Arsenal vs Sporting CP clash

Viktor Gyokeres will face former club Sporting CP again on Wednesday night in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg

Viktor Gyokeres says it's “strange” to face his former club Sporting CP as Arsenal plot their downfall at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

Making his first return to his old side in last week's quarter-final first leg, the Swede was the centre of attention for much of the first game in Lisbon.

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 games across his two seasons with Sporting, helping them win two league titles which got him on the radar of Mikel Arteta.

Some in Lisbon thought the way his move to Arsenal was handled could spark ill feeling among the home support. Yet he strode around the pitch, after the Gunners had grabbed a late winner through Kai Havertz, applauding the thousands of fans inside the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

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Speaking exclusively to football.london, the 27-year-old described the moment and the emotions - and he'll be hoping to go one better by grabbing a goal in the second-leg clash.

“Yeah, of course, I felt it a lot,” he replied. “And, yeah, it means a lot to me, and even before the game when I walked out on the pitch.

“Before the warm-up, I saw the reception I got, and, yeah, it means everything and that they appreciate me, and I appreciate them. So, yeah, it was very nice to see and to be a part of.

“I haven't been there for a while, and to play against them was, yeah, of course, a little bit strange to come back there and to play on the other side because I haven't really done that before in my career,” Gyokeres explained.

“It was a nice feeling and great to be back there, and, of course, to win the game was what we all wanted.”

After Havertz scored the winner in Lisbon, it was Gyokeres who tucked away the penalty against Bournemouth and was one of the very few who could leave the field without absorbing too much scrutiny.

Arteta has decision to make this week with games against Sporting and Manchester City which of his two strikers start. Gyokeres though could not speak more highly of his teammate.

“Kai is a great guy and a great player,” he replied. “So, yeah, I always want him to do well as I think he wants me to do well.”