Arteta Backs Gyökeres Despite Arsenal Striker’s Seven-Game Goal Drought
Mikel Arteta has backed Viktor Gyökeres to play through a scoreless start to the new campaign, insisting the Arsenal forward remains a viable selection despite being left without a goal in seven appearances.
Why Gyökeres remains important to Arsenal
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Gyökeres transfer fee from Sporting CP | €73 million (£61.5 million) |
| Premier League goals last season | 14 |
| Arsenal’s wait for the previous league title | 22 years |
| Appearances without a goal this season | 7 |
| Minutes played against Lille | 65 |
| Touches against Lille | 12 |
| Shots against Lille | 0 |
The Sweden international joined Arsenal last summer from Sporting CP and supplied 14 league goals during the title-winning season, when the club secured the championship for the first time in 22 years.
His place has come under fresh examination after Arsenal explored the market for another attacking player during the summer. Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid was among the principal targets, while suggestions emerged that Gyökeres could potentially have formed part of any proposed arrangement. Atlético kept Álvarez, however, and Arsenal did not add another forward.
Arteta has instead started Kai Havertz in several of Arsenal’s highest-profile matches this season. Havertz is expected to return to the side for the trip to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this weekend.
Gyökeres featured for 65 minutes against Lille on Tuesday but did not manage a shot, despite Arteta believing Arsenal failed to find him on several promising runs into the penalty area. The manager said the difference between a striker being praised or questioned can rest on narrow moments, and maintained that a goal would not alter his view of the player’s broader contribution.
Asked whether the forward’s form reflected a confidence issue, Arteta did not offer a definitive assessment. He stressed instead that Gyökeres continues to show determination, energy and a commitment to improving in training, whether or not he has scored. That attitude, Arteta said, keeps him in contention for selection.
Fitness update before Nottingham Forest
Arsenal will remain without Piero Hincapié for the immediate future as he recovers from an ankle problem. Arteta expects the defender to be roughly one or two weeks away from a return.
Martín Zubimendi is also working back from an ankle injury. His recovery is progressing positively and he could be available within the coming week.
