Mikel Arteta Makes His Stance on Viktor Gyokeres Crystal Clear After Private Meeting

Mikel Arteta backs Viktor Gyokeres to prove his worth, revealing the stern warning he gave the striker before signing him for Arsenal.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made it clear that Viktor Gyokeres’ mental resilience is more important than his goal tallies. The Spaniard revealed a blunt pre-signing warning to the Swedish forward, emphasizing that Arsenal’s No. 9 must thrive under pressure, not crumble.

Arteta detailed his expectations for Gyokeres prior to completing his £63.7 million transfer from Sporting CP:

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“The nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else.”

He had that conversation before the deal was signed, setting the tone for what he demands from his strikers — composure, character, and consistency.”

Gyokeres, who scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, has yet to rediscover that prolific form in England. His last goal came in the 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest, leaving him on an eight-game drought across club and country.

Arteta Praises Gyokeres’s Hidden Impact

Despite the goal drought, Arteta insists Gyokeres remains vital to Arsenal’s system. He highlighted the striker’s pressing, movement, and link-up play as “qualities that aren’t always noticeable” but are crucial to the team’s success.

“He gives us balance and creates space for others. That’s not always seen in the numbers,” Arteta said.

This reflects Arteta’s collective attacking philosophy, where the striker’s role goes beyond scoring — contributing to the team’s rhythm and defensive shape as well.

Arsenal’s finishing woes are not new. Last season, Kai Havertz finished as top scorer with just nine league goals — the lowest tally by a club top scorer in more than a century. Arsenal brought in Gyokeres to fix that issue, but Arteta’s comments suggest he sees the solution as team-based rather than individual.

With creative forces like Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Leandro Trossard supporting from behind, the manager remains confident that Arsenal’s goals will soon flow more freely.

Resilience at the Core of Arteta’s Philosophy

For Arteta, mentality is the foundation of success. His Viktor Gyokeres warning before signing wasn’t merely about handling pressure — it was about proving readiness for the demands of Arsenal Football Club.

As the Gunners prepare to face Fulham, all eyes will once again turn to Gyokeres. But, if Arteta’s philosophy is any indication, the manager will evaluate his striker not by the drought itself, but by how he handles it.

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