Arteta backs Gyökeres to kick on as Arsenal prepare for Everton test
Mikel Arteta has thrown his support behind Viktor Gyökeres, insisting the striker is ready to raise his level in the second half of the season despite a slow start to life at Arsenal.
Gyökeres has scored six goals in 19 appearances since his €73 million summer move from Sporting Lisbon, with his performance drawing scrutiny during Arsenal’s narrow 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton, Arteta addressed the early months of Gyökeres’ Arsenal career and the weight of expectation that followed his arrival as the club’s new number nine.
The Arsenal manager stressed that the attention on Gyökeres has been constant since the day he signed, pointing to the excitement around his goalscoring pedigree and the challenge of adapting to the Premier League without a preseason.
Gyökeres’ campaign has been disrupted by fitness issues, with Arteta noting that the striker struggled physically in the opening weeks before enjoying a strong spell and then suffering an injury that halted his momentum.
Now back in contention, Arteta believes the signs are encouraging. He highlighted positive aspects from Gyökeres’ last two outings and underlined the need for patience as both player and team continue to adjust to one another.
The context around Gyökeres’ form remains important. Arsenal invested heavily in the 27-year-old to add cutting edge up front, and the second half of the season will be crucial as the club balance domestic and European ambitions.
Arteta acknowledged the scale of the challenge Gyökeres faces, describing the global spotlight and expectations at a big club as something that can only truly be understood once experienced.
He was clear, however, that the striker’s attitude has not wavered. Arteta praised Gyökeres’ energy, commitment, and desire, emphasizing that fluctuations in goal output are part of a striker’s journey and that the squad is fully behind him.
Beyond Gyökeres, Arsenal are managing several fitness concerns. Ben White is set to miss a few games with a hamstring injury, while Gabriel Magalhães is pushing hard to return after a groin problem.
Kai Havertz is also edging closer to a comeback from a knee issue, though Arteta declined to put a timeline on his return, stressing the importance of a careful and methodical rehabilitation process.
As Arsenal head to Goodison Park, the focus remains on maintaining momentum while reintegrating key players. For Gyökeres, the coming weeks offer a clear opportunity to turn backing into output and make his mark in the defining stretch of the season.