“Always wants to learn”: Arteta reveals how Gyokeres’ drive transformed Arsenal striker's season | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has said Viktor Gyokeres is reaping the rewards from a desire to improve at Arsenal.

Gyokeres has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, recovering from an underwhelming start to shine for Arsenal across the run-in.

Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal cruised past Fulham 3-0 in thePremier League last weekend, a result which helped extend the Gunners' lead at the top of the table.

The Swedish striker has now scored nine goals in his last 12Premier League games, and was excellent again as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid to progress to the Champions League final in midweek.

Speaking ahead of this weekend's trip to West Ham, Arteta was asked whether he had seen improvements from the summer signing in his all-round game. Arteta praised the recent performances of the 27-year-old, who he said 'always wants to learn'.

"[I’ve noticed it] from the beginning. I think some of the things you see, certain improvements from players, the work probably hasn’t been done a day or two days before - it’s been done through months," he said at hispre-match press conference.

"Maybe months ago, but it hasn’t happened overnight. Viktor has been working extremely hard, the demands he puts on himself are extremely high.

"He always wants to learn, he’s always asking questions, he always wants to do extra things. He’s always trying to find ways to find those connections with his teammates - whether that be in the canteen, in the dressing room or on the pitch. At the end, when you have that kind of behaviour, you get rewards."

Arsenal are three results from a first Premier League title since 2004, while the Gunners will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final later this month. Asked about his message to the squad, Arteta added: "Stay present, live the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we have showed all season or more. We are closer and closer and everything that we do now is going to matter to win it or not."