Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table but Mikel Arteta has issues to deal with ahead of playing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League
07:56, 21 Oct 2025
Viktor Gyokeres has disappointed at Arsenal so far but has his manager Mikel Arteta's backing
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Viktor Gyokeres has disappointed at Arsenal so far but has his manager Mikel Arteta's backing(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal may be leading the Premier League by four points, but even the table toppers have their problems.
The Gunners secured their third consecutive league victory with a slim 1-0 win against Fulham on Saturday. Reigning champions Liverpool had the chance to reduce the North London giants' lead to just one point, but Arne Slot's side fell short, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United.
After eight matches, Mikel Arteta's team have only conceded three goals, but it's their attack that's not quite hitting the mark. Big summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has gone four league games without scoring, while fellow newcomer Eberechi Eze is yet to find the back of the net this season.
Arteta has given the Swedish striker some advice during his goal drought, while a former official has highlighted controversy in their match at Craven Cottage. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium, ahead of the Gunners playing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Arteta gives Gyokeres a warning
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal warms up before the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage
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Viktor Gyokeres is on a goal drought for club and country(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images)
Despite being at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal hasn't seen consistent goal-scoring from Gyokeres, who has only found the net three times for the North London side since his summer arrival, reports the Mirror.
The Swede boasted an outstanding record in Portugal, netting 97 times in 102 appearances, but has struggled to recreate that clinical touch at his new club.
Following another goalless outing against Fulham, the 27 year old's barren spell now stretches to nine matches, including a fruitless international break.
Despite his conversion struggles, Arteta had already outlined expectations before the campaign began, revealing: "I told him before the first meeting, I said, 'the nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn't score for six or eight games, he can handle that'."
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Viktor Gyokeres during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta revealed his chat with Viktor Gyokeres(Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Arsenal manager continued: "If not, you have to go somewhere else because the expectation is going to be there. So, if you put on a nine shirt for Arsenal, you have to be able to say, 'OK, six games, if I don't score, I'm a different player? I start to act in a different way?'. No, I want much more of the same of what he's doing."
Arteta emphasised that while goals remain elusive, Gyokeres continues to offer significant value through other contributions.
The Spanish tactician added: "You see the history of the number nines. You're going to have moments like this.
"He brings so much to the team. He creates space and solutions to a lot of the players around him. And with the talent that we have in the team, I'm sure that everybody, him included, will benefit from that."
'Unacceptable' incident called out
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal appeals to Referee Anthony Taylor after overturning his initial decision of a penalty for Arsenal following a VAR Review during the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on October 18, 2025 in London, England
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Bukayo Saka was stunned when the decision to award Arsenal a penalty against Fulham was overturned(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Despite Arsenal clinching a victory against Fulham, they were left feeling aggrieved when referee Anthony Taylor, following a VAR review, reversed his decision to award the Gunners a penalty.
The controversy arose after Bukayo Saka was brought down in the box by Kevin, prompting the referee to initially award a penalty. However, after an extended review at the pitch-side monitor, Taylor changed his mind.
Before making his final call, he was surrounded by a group of Fulham players who refused to move away, a situation that former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, labelled as "unacceptable".
In a chat with Football Insider, Hackett stated: "It was a very difficult decision. From Taylor's point of view, I can understand why he awarded a penalty kick. Initially, I was surprised that VAR came in.
"When I saw a different angle, you can clearly see that the player winning the ball, VAR coming in, and Anthony Taylor turning the decision over. When the referee goes to view the pitch-side monitor, no players or staff of either club should be anywhere near the monitor. Therefore, what happened on Saturday was unacceptable, outside the criteria of operation.
"The Premier League and PGMOL must consult with the home team to ensure this doesn't happen in the future. The risk here is influence, added pressure. This top-class referee has his back to the players, and they don't need to be involved in the interrogation process.
"The referee needs space to go through a difficult process. I do want the Premier League and PGMOL to ensure the protocol is delivered on. I hope this is being looked at today. It should not be allowed in the future."
Eberechi Eze receives support despite early struggles
Eberechi Eze has scored one Arsenal goal in the Carabao Cup
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Eberechi Eze has scored one Arsenal goal in the Carabao Cup(Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Arsenal's Eberechi Eze has endured a challenging beginning to his Emirates career, failing to replicate the form that prompted his £67.5million move from Crystal Palace last month.
The 27-year-old has managed just one goal and two assists across 11 appearances in all competitions, with his solitary strike arriving during a 2-0 triumph over Port Vale in the EFL Cup.
The England international's goalscoring woes persisted during Arsenal's 1-0 victory against Fulham on Saturday, with Eze withdrawn after 62 minutes.
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Despite his limited impact in the final third, Arteta confessed he remains pleased with his deadline day acquisition's contributions and lauded his display against the Cottagers.
"He's more used to attacking open spaces and breaks and facing and carrying the ball with space in front of him, he's so good and comfortable doing that," the Spaniard explained following Saturday's triumph.
"He had his moments today, he put Viktor once or twice through in really good spaces and that maybe if it finished in a goal it would've looked a bit different. But I'm very happy with what he's doing and we can use him in different positions. Today we used him in that one and we can carry on trying to improve."