Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres reveals team meeting sparked derby response

Stung by criticism after surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw at Wolves, the players confronted issues head-on in the build-up to Sunday's clash - a move Gyokeres believes directly fuelled their response.

"It's important sometimes just to say what you feel and to let it all out in the group," said the Sweden striker. "Most of us spoke. Everyone can recognise how different people feel in the moment and you get a better understanding of the feeling.

"When you speak openly like that, you come closer together. If you're not honest, I think it's hard to improve."

The honesty translated into authority on the pitch. Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze both scored twice at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Arsenal moved five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Gyokeres, whose brace took him to 10 league goals this season, described the display as the "perfect way to respond" to doubts about Arsenal's title mentality.

"It's always going to be difficult when you get a result like we had at Wolves, but it's how you handle that and how you respond to it. Today we showed that in a good way.

"There's a lot of games to go, but if we perform like this, it's going to be good."

With no midweek fixture for the first time in over two months after avoiding the Champions League play-offs, Arsenal have a full week to reset before facing Chelsea.

City are also not back in action until next weekend, when they travel to Leeds, with manager Pep Guardiola joking he would allow his players to enjoy a few cocktails during the break.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta offered a more restrained reply.

"Cocktails?" he smiled. "I don't drink cocktails. So, no, we will do our own thing."

If the derby performance is any indication, Arsenal's approach is already paying dividends.

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