Declan Rice is the latest player to lend his support to summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish striker, signed for £63 million from Sporting, was seen by many as the man expected to take **Arsenal**to a new level by filling the need for a ruthless finisher. However, after scoring three times in his four Premier League fixtures, he has only netted against **Burnley**and **Everton**since.
It was another performance without getting on the scoresheet for Gyokeres at the Vitality Stadium, but Rice felt it necessary to acknowledge the role he played in one of his two goals on the afternoon.
*"It's tough for him, because he's got two defenders on him all game all over him. He has to use his strength, do all he can to help the team and with that first goal, without him making that run from the Gabriel Martinelli flick and holding it, setting it off to Martin Odegaard, that goal wouldn't happen.*
"So yeah, that was a pivotal moment in the game for us to turn the game on its head, it was massive, and like I said - I see this guy every day. I see his finishing. I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him and the ball's arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100 percent score.
*“But at the minute, defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gyokeres, because he's one of the best strikers in the world.*
"That happens naturally, you know, when you're playing against the best players. So trust me, he's doing unbelievably for us, we wouldn't be where we are without him. So just keep trying to feed him, keep trying to get him on the scoresheet, and if not, the way he's helping the team is massive, so it's good."