Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has thrown his support behind Viktor Gyokeres, insisting the striker is ready to step up as the season enters its second half.
The Gunners’ £64million signing has faced a tricky start, with just six goals from 18 appearances across all competitions.
Returning from a muscle injury late last month hasn’t helped, leaving some fans questioning his impact on the pitch.
A Rough Patch After Injury
Gyokeres’ recent performances, particularly in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Wolves, drew criticism as he struggled to influence the game.
Arteta acknowledged the scrutiny but emphasized the striker’s need for time and support.
“Everybody was so excited to bring him into the club. We did it.
We brought a player with an incredible scoring record who had to adapt to the league,” Arteta explained.
The manager highlighted that Gyokeres missed pre-season, making the adjustment to the Premier League more challenging.
“The first few weeks were difficult because physically he wasn’t at his best, and like any player in this league, he needs that to perform at this level,” Arteta said.
Signs of Improvement
Despite the early hurdles, Arteta sees real promise in Gyokeres’ recent displays.
“Then he kicked on. I think he had a really good period and he got injured. Now he’s back.
I saw a lot of positive things in the last two games,” he noted.
The manager stressed the importance of understanding between Gyokeres and his teammates, saying both sides need time to adjust to each other’s style of play.
“We need to continue to tweak and understand him a little bit better in certain situations, and he needs to do the same.
But that’s about time. We have full support for him,” Arteta added, reassuring fans of the club’s commitment to the striker.
Looking Ahead
When pressed on whether supporters can expect Gyokeres to hit a higher level next year, Arteta was optimistic: “I think so, yes.”
With the Premier League campaign entering its crucial stages, Arsenal will be hoping their expensive forward finally finds the consistency that justified his big transfer fee.
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