Viktor Gyokeres has come in for plenty of criticism after Arsenal’s goalless draw with Liverpool.
The Swedish forward was signed to address the club’s lack of goals, but things haven’t really clicked so far this season.
Seven goals from 24 appearances isn’t what you’d expect from a player who cost more than £60 million. That return just isn’t good enough, especially given how much he cost.
“We got him because we believed that he could do it,” the manager explained during his press conference. “If there is one thing that Viktor is and will continue to be, it is that. He will step up.”
Arteta says Arsenal players didn’t spot Viktor Gyokeres in the box against Liverpool
There wasn’t much optimism around the Emirates after Viktor Gyokeres failed to make an impact against Liverpool.
In fairness, the Gunners did get off to a strong start, and Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice each delivered dangerous crosses into the box.
On both occasions, though, Gyokeres seemed stuck. His movement has been questioned throughout the season, and those concerns resurfaced against Liverpool.
Asked after the match why his striker hadn’t attacked the deliveries, Arteta instead pointed to other moments where teammates didn’t play him in.
“He was in great positions, and sometimes the ball didn’t arrive,” he said via HaytersTV.
“And as I said there were situations. Normally we go into the six-yard box almost with a ball at feet and normally that’s a goal or you pick somebody out of it and it’s a goal.
“We didn’t do that and that’s something we have to improve apart from what we did in that second half that was probably not at our standards.”
Asked if he thought Gyokeres was showing progress, Arteta replied firmly: “Yes!”
Questions grow over Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to settle in at Arsenal since his arrival.
He’d have been well aware of the task ahead when he joined, but even so, the lack of goals would have caught him off guard.
There were moments against Liverpool where he got into good areas and made promising runs, but he was often ignored by teammates. The missed passes added to the sense of frustration around his performance.
That said, it’s not just about the service. Gyokeres also needs to take responsibility for his own movement in the box, which still hasn’t matched expectations.
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