Mikel Arteta's stance on Viktor Gyokeres as Arsenal manager sends clear message to striker

Arsenal return to Premier League action in the Saturday early evening kick-off against Fulham, with Mikel Arteta hoping to further extend his side’s lead at the top of the table. His team have only dropped points in two matches so far, against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Craven Cottage was one of the grounds to take two points off Arsenal last season, with a last-minute Bukayo Saka winnerruled out for offside. However, a reinvigorated and deeper Gunners squad that now includes some new weapons increases the hopes of continuing to overturn last season’s poorer results.

Viktor Gyokeres has scored three goals against Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, which have contributed to the table-topping points tally. However, the Swede has been blanking recently, leading to some scrutiny.

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As Arteta welcomes the striker back to the Sobha Realty Training Centre this week following yet more goalless performances for his country, we can get some inside info from the Spaniard about his thoughts on his number 14. Speaking after the draw with Manchester City, where Gyokeres registered zero shots, Arteta felt that his side needed to offer him more service.

“Well, there were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that he was very, very close to doing it against City,” he said when asked about the lack of attempts at goal. “To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he's certainly trying his best and trying to do that, and we have to provide more for him; that's it.”

He added: “Well, there were a lot of situations that the chances were there and then, especially the final pass was missing today. In many moments, it was very, very, very open.”

Then, after hitting the post against Olympiacos in the Champions League, which set up Gabriel Martinelli’s goal, his all-around game impressed Arteta. Furthermore, gradually, the Swede is gaining Arteta's faith, even in spite of a lack of goals.

“What I sense is that he's doing better and better things every game. Today, he was denied a few times, one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional.

“Again, his work rate was really good, and yes, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn't do that, at least to do everything as he's doing for the team, because he's helping the team a lot.”

Clearly, both parties have work to do, but there is growing confidence that the Swede is adjusting. Behind the scenes, work to get the ball more efficiently to their clinical centre-forward will take a keen focus and perhaps be on display in west London on Saturday.