Mikel Arteta Arsenal
Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres has been under scrutiny following a series of games without finding the back of the net. Despite the team’s strong start to the season, with only two matches resulting in dropped points against Liverpool and Manchester City, Gyokeres’ recent performance has sparked discussions. The Swedish forward has contributed significantly to Arsenal’s table-topping points tally with goals against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. However, his recent lack of goals has led to questions about his role and effectiveness in the squad.
Mikel Arteta said: “Well, there were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that he was very, very close to doing it against City. To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he’s certainly trying his best and trying to do that, and we have to provide more for him; that’s it.”
He added: “Well, there were a lot of situations that the chances were there and then, especially the final pass was missing today. In many moments, it was very, very, very open.”
Arteta continued: “What I sense is that he’s doing better and better things every game. Today, he was denied a few times, one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional. Again, his work rate was really good, and yes, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn’t do that, at least to do everything as he’s doing for the team, because he’s helping the team a lot.”
Arteta’s comments suggest a growing confidence in Gyokeres’ abilities, emphasizing the need for the team to support him better by improving service to the forward. Despite the lack of goals, Gyokeres’ overall performance, including his work rate and ability to create opportunities, has impressed Arteta. The manager’s faith in the player is evident, as he acknowledges the forward’s contributions beyond just scoring goals.
The recent match against Olympiacos in the Champions League saw Gyokeres hit the post, leading to Gabriel Martinelli’s goal. This highlights his potential impact on the field, even when not directly scoring. Arteta’s remarks indicate a belief that with improved support and service, Gyokeres can become a more consistent threat in front of goal.
As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming fixture in west London, the focus will likely be on enhancing their attacking strategies to better utilize Gyokeres’ strengths. The club is optimistic about turning last season’s challenges into successes, with Gyokeres playing a pivotal role in their ambitions.
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