LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident Viktor Gyokeres can make a big impact on his team’s bid to win four trophies this season, after the striker showed impressive performance in recent matches.
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon earlier this season, had previously struggled but is now starting to find his best touch.
The 27-year-old striker scored twice in the 4-1 win over Tottenham last weekend, taking his goal tally to eight in all competitions in 2026.
With 10 goals in the English Premier League (EPL) this season, Gyokeres has surpassed the number of goals scored by any Arsenal player in the league last season.
Arteta believes Gyokeres’ performance is improving as he better understands his teammates and the EPL style of play.
“One success leads to another. When you score your first goal or have a good performance, you understand your team-mates, your opponents and the league better. It all helps,” Arteta told reporters yesterday.
“He is definitely a great striker. We need to support him, understand how he plays and he also needs to understand the team and the league. I think we are on the right track,” he stressed.
Regarding Gyokeres’ somewhat shaky confidence at the start of the season, Arteta said it depended on the player himself, while emphasising the high pressure placed on him.
“I’m sure because many times in training our defenders said, ‘When you face him, it’s a nightmare’,” said Arteta.
Arsenal will face Chelsea in the EPL campaign at midnight tomorrow with the aim of maintaining a five-point lead at the top of the league.
Closest challengers Manchester City can close the gap to two points if they win at Leeds tonight, making this weekend’s match even more important.
In addition to the league, Arsenal also advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen, as well as qualifying for the League Cup final against Manchester City and the fifth round of the FA Cup.
“We are excited to play in the next round of the Champions League. We qualified based on our performance in the group stage, but now we have to analyse Leverkusen and find a way to win,” said Arteta.
Gyokeres’ solid performance comes at a perfect time for Arsenal, who are top of the league and competing in three other competitions, giving the team a strong chance of winning all four trophies.
Arteta insisted his team’s focus now is to maintain momentum, manage pressure and ensure every player understands their role in pursuing success this season.