You can pick whichever stats you like to criticise or support Viktor Gyokeres’ performances since his summer move from Sporting Lisbon, but one thing remains clear – he has the backing of both his teammates and his manager.
With Gabriel Jesus still working his way back to full sharpness and the club carefully managing Kai Havertz’s return, the Sweden international has continued to earn starts despite his goals drying up. At Bournemouth on Saturday, he led the line for the fifth consecutive Premier League game, departing on 66 minutes shortly after playing a role in Arsenal taking the lead through the first of Declan Rice’s two strikes.
After the game, Rice was full of praise for Gyokeres, explaining how his movement and physical presence unsettle defenders and create space for teammates to exploit.
“It’s tough for him,” the England international told Arsenal.com.
“He’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him, so he has to use his strength.
“He has to do all he can to help the team and with that goal, without him making that run from Gabi’s flick and holding it, setting it off to Martin, that goal wouldn’t happen. That was a pivotal moment in the game for us to turn the game on its head.
“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% 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. Trust me, he’s doing unbelievably for us, we wouldn’t be where we are without him.”
Gyokeres isn’t just proving his value on the pitch. Mikel Arteta recently highlighted how quickly he – along with Kai Havertz – congratulated Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian marked his return from ACL surgery with a goal against Aston Villa last week, his first in nearly a year.
While the trio will inevitably be competing for minutes as the season enters its second half, they’ve clearly forged a strong bond since the summer.
“That was magic,” the manager told Sky Sports. “I see how much they care about each other and how happy they are for each other, it is a joy as a manager.”
That sense of internal competition was echoed elsewhere in the squad. Noni Madueke has spoken about his relationship with Bukayo Saka and how he feels it’s pushing them both to higher levels.
Both are competing for minutes on Arsenal’s right flank – and for England – and while Saka more often than not gets the nod, Madueke, who started Saturday’s 3–2 win at the Vitality, believes it’s on everyone to keep standards high.
“We talk about how that type of pressure, knowing you need to perform, is good for the both of us. It’s been great, so far, and long may it continue,” he said.
“We all make each other better. You have got a team full of top players, top internationals.
“It’s fantastic because it means that no one can slip, no one can drop their standards. We all hold each other accountable. I think to be a special team, which we are trying to be, that’s very important.”
He added: “You know that you are going to get called upon, it’s just being professional.
“If you haven’t played for a couple of games, you definitely want to show why you should be playing. I think that’s just part and parcel of the game.
“To do what we want to do this season, everyone has to be on it, regardless of whether they play or they don’t play.”