Arteta backs Gyokeres at Arsenal but hints: "He can score more goals" | OneFootball

Arsenal's coach, Mikel Arteta, spoke about Viktor Gyokeres' current phase. The coach praised the number 9, formerly of Sporting, but mentioned the need for the Swedish striker to score more goals.

“I always do an exercise with the players. Since Viktor arrived in a new country, does he speak the language? What is his family situation? Because there [with the family] it is safe, but he arrives here and is exposed, on his own and needs to live in a hotel for five months,” he said to Sky Sports about the adaptation of the 27-year-old player.

“Then he arrives and the schedule changes. He has to play every three days in the most demanding league in the world, in which he has never played. Then, it's a different system, a different methodology, different teammates. And the number 9 needs that synergy and chemistry with others,” he expanded.

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“And then he arrives in the environment, the pressure, and the expectations. Therefore, there are many factors to deal with and they are very new. But everyone has a fantastic attitude towards it,” he concluded.

Gyokeres joined Arsenal as the big signing of the season, but went nine consecutive games without finding the back of the net. So far, he has scored seven goals in 23 appearances.

Arteta defended the striker and shared what he tells players who feel frustrated with poor phases.

“If they have some doubts, we have to provide clarity. Show the context of why they are here and how they are contributing. And they have been incredibly good at enduring and managing because they want it so much. They know that, with the squad we have, there will be moments for everyone. And when they have them, seize them. And that is what they have done. My judgment of a player is to understand how he is fulfilling his role,” he revealed.

Finally, Arteta made some quick assessments of Arsenal's reinforcements. Goalkeeper Kepa was rated as “10 out of 10, incredible,” midfielder Norgaard as “incredible,” and Viktor Gyokeres as “very good. Okay, he can score more goals, but in all other aspects he is extraordinary.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.