Mikel Arteta has called on Viktor Gyokeres’ teammates to give him more support after the striker’s competitive debut away to Manchester United.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Viktor Gyökeres of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Viktor Gyokeres made his first competitive appearance for Arsenal against Manchester United on Sunday, but he’ll likely have mixed feelings about how the game went.
On the one hand, Arsenal won 1-0, taking all three points from a difficult opening game away from home. On the other, he didn’t score and wasn’t even able to get a shot off.
Reflecting on his new striker’s performance, Mikel Arteta suggested Gyokeres did a lot of good work and needs more help from his teammates.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
“He did a lot of things very good,” Arteta said. “You can tell, especially in our high pressing, the rhythm that we demand, especially in the first half, we’re giving a bit too much time. It’s something that we have to work on, especially there.
“And then in the finalising situation, he didn’t have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action before, we had to play that last ball [when] the line was standing still with 40 metres behind. We didn’t manage to put the ball through to exploit his quality.
“But overall, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it’s a good start.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Arteta went on to suggest there were plenty of opportunities for Arsenal to get the ball in behind, they just failed to do so in the majority of cases.
“I think there were seven, eight situations when the ball is completely open to play through and we are on and we’re attacking the keeper,” Arteta said. “And we give that ball away and then it becomes a basketball game.”
With time, the hope is that Arsenal will become more accustomed to the current adaptations in the team’s playing style. If they can find Gyokeres in behind more consistently, the Swedish striker’s track record suggests he’s capable of taking advantage.
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