Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has blown hot and cold since joining Arsenal from Sporting CP but manager Mikel Arteta has a plan to get the best out of the Swede
Mikel Arteta with Viktor Gyokeres during Everton vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta with Viktor Gyokeres during Everton vs Arsenal
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes healthy competition will help bring the best out of Viktor Gyokeres. The Sweden striker has flattered to deceive since joining over the summer in a move worth up to £63.7m, scoring just five times in 17 league games after bagging 39 in the Portuguese top flight last term,
Gyokeres' shaky form has led Arteta to hand midfielder Mikel Merino minutes up top, but more orthodox attacking options are now back in the mix. Gabriel Jesus scored against Aston Villa on Tuesday, his first goal in nearly a full year after a long injury lay-off, while Kai Havertz was back on the bench as he closes in on a first appearance since August.
"He is going to continue to have a lot of noise around him for the next five years," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Since day one, you sign as a No 9 for Arsenal with the background he has and the expectation at Arsenal, that is not going away. That is the life of being an Arsenal No 9.
"There is an expectation when you pull the shirt on. He knew that and it was part of the plan. I see him training every day and in the meeting, how much he wants to do well.
"The way he is working every single match, it will click. One thing is missing at the moment, scoring more goals, but he is doing other things right."
On the competition for places, he added: "That was the plan, that we have that level of competition in the team. Different qualities and different players. I saw after the game when Jesus scored, Kai and Viktor were together.
"That was magic. I see how much they care about each other and how happy they are for each other, it is a joy as a manager."
Viktor Gyokeres in Arsenal training
Gyokeres in Arsenal training(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arteta's comments come after Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher argued Gyokeres shouldn't be starting for the Gunners. “I’m a huge fan of [Gabriel] Jesus. He’s not always been an amazing finisher but he is a fantastic footballer. I think maybe the only negative of the night for Arsenal is that Gyokeres shouldn’t be starting for Arsenal when they’ve got players like this (Jesus)," he said.
“I think in a couple of games’ time when Jesus is a little bit more up to speed, he’s a better player than Gyokeres. That’s a fact.
"He [Jesus] has been questioned before, is he good enough for Arsenal to help them win the league? But right now he is better than the guy they brought in who they thought was going to win them the league.
“Him or Havertz as the central striker for Arsenal is a better player than Gyokeres. Gyokeres is really game and I admire him for taking that penalty against Everton, he always looks really intense. But I think he just lacks that finesse and quality when you think about what they have on the bench."
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