Arteta backs Gyokeres and defends Martinelli after Arsenal draw with Liverpool | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says he is confident Viktor Gyokeres is improving at Arsenal despite another game in which he failed to score.

The Swede has managed just one league goal in his last nine games, a penalty against Everton.

He failed to have a shot in the goalless draw with Liverpool but Arteta backed his striker after the game.

“He was in great positions,” he said. “Sometimes the ball didn’t arrive and as I said, there were situations where we got into the six-yard box that are normally a goal or you pick somebody out to score a goal.

“We didn’t do that and that’s the thing that today, we have to improve, and other things in the second half that are probably not at the standards we are used to.”

Asked if he thinks he is improving, Arteta simply replied: “Yes.”

Gyokeres’ Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Martinelli has been criticised after pushing Conor Bradley off the pitch while the Liverpool defender was down injured, with the Northern Ireland international having to be stretchered off with the injury.

Arteta says he will speak to Martinelli but insists he would not have done it had he known the extent of Bradley’s problem.

“Anybody who knows Gabi knows he is an incredible, lovely guy and probably he didn’t realise what happened,” he said.

“I hope that Conor is well. I will have a word with him (Martinelli) now to understand that but probably, he didn’t recognise what happened.”

Arteta also spoke of his pride in his players as they made the gap to Manchester City in second a six point one once again.

“What it makes me feel is very proud because I know how difficult it is, what they are doing, and I recognise what they are doing, and it’s unbelievable.”