Mikel Arteta Backs Viktor Gyokeres After Frustrating Liverpool Draw

Mikel Arteta backs Viktor Gyokeres performance after Emirates stalemate as title leaders fail to capitalise against depleted Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta backs Viktor Gyokeres following Arsenal’s disappointing 0-0 Premier League draw with Liverpool on January 8, 2026, at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s result restored their six-point lead at the top of the table, but many saw it as a missed opportunity to extend their advantage against an injury-hit Liverpool side. The spotlight once again targeted Gyokeres, who endured another difficult night in front of goal.

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Arsenal entered the clash boasting seven straight home league wins, confident they could exploit Liverpool’s defensive absences. Instead, both sides produced a cagey encounter on a slick surface, with clear chances scarce.

Bukayo Saka threatened early down the right, while Declan Rice forced Alisson Becker into a smart save. Liverpool came closest to scoring when Conor Bradley struck the crossbar from distance, momentarily silencing the Emirates.

The second half saw Arsenal’s tempo drop noticeably, allowing Liverpool to gain a foothold. A defensive miscommunication between William Saliba and David Raya nearly proved costly, but the Gunners held firm to secure a clean sheet. The stalemate marked Arsenal’s first scoreless outing in any competition since their August 2025 defeat at Anfield.

Viktor Gyokeres Struggles Continue Under Scrutiny

Much of the post-match discussion focused on Viktor Gyokeres, who still struggles to adapt to Premier League football. The £64 million signing from Sporting CP touched the ball just eight times in 64 minutes before Gabriel Jesus replaced him — his lowest involvement in any extended appearance this season.

Gyokeres repeatedly dropped deep to find possession but failed to influence the penalty area, producing no shots on target. His poor display continued a lean run that now includes only one league goal — a penalty against Everton — in his last nine Premier League matches.

Criticism has intensified, with pundits questioning his impact in high-profile fixtures and whether Arsenal can sustain their title ambitions without a more clinical focal point.

Despite the mounting pressure, Arteta was unwavering in his support of the Swedish striker during his post-match press conference.

“He was in great positions,” Arteta said.
“There were moments when the ball didn’t arrive. We had situations inside the six-yard box that are normally goals, or you pick someone out, and we didn’t do that.”

When asked directly whether Gyokeres is improving despite his lack of goals, Arteta responded emphatically: “Yes.”

The Arsenal manager reiterated that attacking shortcomings were collective rather than individual, echoing his long-standing demand for his forwards to reach the 20-goal mark — a feat no Arsenal player has achieved since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 2019–20 season.

Arteta also defended Gabriel Martinelli following criticism for pushing Liverpool defender Conor Bradley off the pitch while he was injured.

“Anybody who knows Gabi knows he’s a lovely guy,” Arteta explained.
“He probably didn’t realise what had happened.”

The Arsenal boss confirmed he would speak privately with Martinelli but insisted there was no malicious intent.

Mentality Test Looms as Title Race Tightens

Despite the frustration, Arteta expressed pride in his squad’s consistency and resilience, highlighting the difficulty of sustaining title-level performances across a long campaign.

Arsenal remain Premier League frontrunners, but familiar questions have resurfaced regarding their ruthlessness in decisive moments — an issue that has previously undermined title challenges.

For Gyokeres, Arteta’s public backing could prove crucial as pressure mounts ahead of key fixtures against direct rivals, including Manchester City. Arsenal will need their record signing to rediscover his scoring edge if they are to finally turn sustained contention into silverware.

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