Mikel Arteta backs Viktor Gyokeres after Arsenal striker discovers 'magic' formula | OneFootball

Arsenal’s big summer signing is beginning to deliver on a consistent basis after a difficult start to life in north London

However, although he did not start in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Sunderland, he scored twice off the bench to make it six goals in his last eight appearances.

The 27-year-old now has 13 goals in all competitions and six in his last eight appearances, responding well to the criticism he has faced.

"Obviously when you put that shirt on, it comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations," Arteta said. "And you need to live with that.

"In your journey here you're going to have moments where it goes really well and others where you're going to be tough. Because when you have an opponent that plays a part and he makes it really difficult for you.

"But I love his character, the way he approaches every single day and the fact that he's so focused on the present - what he has to do and he has a genuine will to help the team in whatever role he has."

Despite scoring twice and helping fire Arsenal nine points clear at the top of the Premier League, Arteta joked he was unsure exactly how happy Gyokeres was about it.

"Yeah with Viktor when you look at him, it's very difficult to understand his emotions," Arteta laughed.

"Because he looks straight at you and you don't really know. But he doesn't seem too affected by the real highs or the lows.

"And that's what we need, stability. He's very demanding of himself. He's constantly trying to improve, and that's really, really good.”

Viktor Gyokeres enjoyed a brilliant cameo in the win over Sunderland

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

No Premier League player has scored more goals across all competitions than Gyokeres in 2026.

As well as his brace against Sunderland, he looks far more confident in holding the ball up and running the channels, relishing the physical battle with the defenders.

"That's the magic word, I think," Arteta responded when asked about the confidence returning to Gyokeres.

"When you feel confident, when you feel important, when you feel at your best, that's when you can really take your game to the highest level.

"And, yeah we all try, the first one the team-mates but all the staff, obviously, are really behind him in every moment to try to help him, to try to support him.

"He is delivering and he's in a really good moment now."