Mikel Arteta is confident that the goals ‘will come’ for Viktor Gyokeres after a modest start to his Arsenal career.
The summer signing has scored six times in 18 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners, since his £64m arrival from Sporting Lisbon in the summer.
Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting over two seasons but has had a challenging transition to the Premier League.
The Swedish striker returned to the starting side after injury in midweek, featuring for 70 minutes against Club Brugge. He was unable to find the net and registered just one shot on target in Belgium.
The forward’s all-round game has been scrutinised this season but Arteta is happy with Gyokeres’s contribution to the side. He insisted that the goals will come for the 27-year-old, as he adapts to Arsenal and Arsenal adjust to playing with an out-and-out centre-forward.
“The two things have to merge, we have to put the player in the best possible conditions to explode and fulfil his potential,” Arteta said ahead of facing Wolves this weekend.
“But there are some things within the role, in the manner in which we play, that have to be fulfilled. It’s a combination of both. More importantly is the connections and the players around him. Those interactions, understanding and how he develops.
“Before the injury he was in a great place, it took him a while at the beginning because it’s a different league with different demands, he had no pre-season. The goals will come, and we will be very pleased with him.”
