Mikel Arteta issues heartfelt message to Viktor Gyokeres as £60m striker’s goal drought drags on against Fulham
On Saturday night, Arsenal defeated Fulham by a slim margin of 1-0. On the hour, Gabriel Magalhaes knocked a Bukayo Saka corner into the path of the Belgian, who tucked it past Bernd Leno to score the game’s lone goal for Leandro Trossard.
The outcome, however, means that since scoring in the team’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last month, striker Viktor Gyokeres has not scored.
Gyokeres has been under pressure ever since he joined Arsenal in the summer. Last season, the Swede scored 39 goals for Sporting CP, helping the Portuguese powerhouse win Liga Portugal.
Trending
Due to his outstanding play, the 27-year-old was linked to a high-profile transfer to the Premier League over the off-season, with Arsenal finally winning the bid to sign him.
Gyokeres had reportedly attracted the attention of Manchester United, and a transfer to Old Trafford would have reunited the Sweden international with Ruben Amorim, who both thrived during their time in Lisbon.
However, in the first few weeks of his Arsenal career, Gyokeres has fallen short of expectations.
In fact, in his first eight league games, the former Coventry player has only scored three goals, including a brace in a 5-0 home victory against Leeds in August.
Gyokeres hasn’t scored in seven club games, and if you count his two Sweden appearances this month, the record now stands at nine games.
Gyokeres last scored against Nottingham Forest in Ange Postecoglou’s debut at the City Ground.
Gyokeres had three shots at Craven Cottage on Saturday night, but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta feels that the forward’s inability to score again was the only thing that frustrated him about the match.
“He came extremely close two or three times today. All of us were pleading with him to score.
After the close victory in London, Arteta stated, “We try to give him love and support because of the incredible work rate he puts in for the team, and it will come.”
Gyokeres’ lacklustre run in front of goal doesn’t concern Arteta, who said before Fulham’s triumph that he had faith in the striker because of a talk they had in the summer before Arsenal signed him.
The response was telling when it was suggested that Gyokeres was going through a tough time. “He stares at you and remains motionless.
Arteta disclosed, “He just said, ‘It’s fine,’ while he was on the screen like this.” “That’s him. He simply has a one-targeted attitude; there is no emotion present. I adore him because of that.
Gyokeres Journey In Arsenal Is Full Of Challenges
Character and personality are important qualities that Arsenal looks for when pursuing a player, but they also place a lot of attention on analytics.
Arteta acknowledged that Gyokeres’ “bumpy” ascent to the top benefits the striker. “Throughout his career, he hasn’t been a top scorer.
There were hiccups in his path,” Arteta remarked. Additionally it doesn’t go like this (motions a continuous upward slope) after you reach a level.
“Aside from one or two players in history, I haven’t seen that for any other player. Prepare yourself, handle things naturally, and of course, use all of our support for him.”
Gyokeres’ handling of his dry period has impressed Arteta, who also pointed out that his presence and off-ball activity have made room for others.
According to the Arsenal manager, “Viktor adds so many things that probably aren’t noticeable.”
“He gives many of the players around him a sense of space, surroundings, and solutions. And I’m confident that everyone, including him, will gain from that given the skill on the squad.”
The Sweden Striker Is Finding All possible Means To Prove Himself
In an attempt to break Gyokeres’ goal slump, Arsenal will now play three straight games at home.
After defeating Athletic Club and Olympiacos in their first two League phase games, the Gunners will have a difficult test next week when they play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in an attempt to make it three wins from three in Europe.
Between now and the end of the month, the north London team will host Crystal Palace and Brighton at the Emirates in the Premier League and EFL Cup in an attempt to snap a protracted trophy drought.
