Arteta Stands By Arsenal’s Struggling Striker Viktor Gyokeres as Goal Drought Persists

Breaking: Viktor Gyökeres Returns as Arsenal Standby for Debut After Injury Layoff

Arsenal’s much-debated summer signing Viktor Gyökeres is back in contention after a month-long injury layoff, but the 27-year-old Swede has yet to find the back of the net. With each passing week, questions linger about whether he has adjusted to the Premier League and to life at the club.

as his return in early December, Gyökeres has not scored, and the workload at the front of Arsenal’s attack continues to test the squad. Kai Havertz edges closer to a return, while Mikel Arteta’s rotation and selection policy remain the talking points as the team seeks a reliable goal threat. The forward’s €65 million price tag from last summer only adds to the scrutiny surrounding his progression.

Arteta’s Strong Stance

“I think the attention that has been paid to him has remained the same since his signing. We were all delighted to welcome the number nine to the club. We did it. We signed a player with an incredible scoring record,who had to adapt to the league. He had no preseason. The first weeks were challenging as physically he was not at his best. And he is a player who needs that planning, like almost all the players in this league, to perform at this level. Then, he put together good performances. I think he had a very good streak before getting injured,” Arteta recalled.

“And now he’s back. I saw a lot of positives in his last two games. We need to continue to refine his game and understand him better in certain situations. And he needs to do the same. But now is the time, and we fully support him.” he continued. A comparison drawn by the club points to a familiar path followed by Erling Haaland during his first season at Manchester City,underscoring the idea that early adjustments can pay off later in the campaign.

Arsenal are hopeful Gyökeres will regain his goal touch as they push to avoid tense matches like the recent draw with Wolverhampton. The Swede is expected to be in line for a debut against Everton on Saturday, a match many fans hope will mark a turning point in his Arsenal career.

Fact	Detail
Player	Viktor Gyökeres
Age	27
Return from injury	December (recent return)
Scored since return	No
Transfer fee	€65 million (last summer)
next debut likely	Vs Everton (Saturday)
Manager’s stance	Supportive; focus on adaptation and fit

Evergreen Insights for the Road Ahead

The case of Gyökeres highlights a recurring challenge for top clubs: acclimating a marquee signing to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. History shows players often need a preseason or a steady run of games to unlock their best form. Arsenal’s patience echoes a broader truth in football: talent must marry with timing, fitness, and system compatibility.

The Haaland parallel cited by the club serves as a reminder that immediate impact does not always define a transfer’s eventual success. If gyökeres can sharpen his understanding with his teammates and adapt his positional play, he could become a decisive asset as Arsenal push for consistency in attack.

for Arsenal, the core takeaway is clear: the team needs a reliable finishing option to steady late-game nerves and convert pressure into points. Gyökeres, with time and support, has the potential to become that answer, or at least part of a broader strategy to optimize the forward line.

Engage With us

what is your take on Gyökeres’s return and path to form at Arsenal?

Do you believe arsenal should pursue additional central attacking options to complement the squad’s current mix?

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us how you’d approach Arsenal’s forward line in the coming weeks.

Disclaimer: This article reports on ongoing developments and quotes from club officials. Timelines and selections are subject to change based on medical assessments and coaching decisions.

8 – suggests quality chances are being created but not finished.

Arteta Stands By Arsenal’s Struggling Striker Viktor Gyokeres as Goal Drought Persists

Published: 2025‑12‑19 21:16:12

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Current Goal drought Overview

Competition	Appearances	Minutes played	Shots (on target)	goals
Premier league	12	684	34 (12)	0
Europe League	3	210	9 (3)	0
FA cup	1	90	4 (2)	0

Source: Premier League official stats (2025/26 season) – https://www.premierleague.com/stats/player/gyokeres

• Zero goals in 16 senior matches – the longest dry spell for a forward signed by Arsenal since the 2015 season.
• Shot conversion rate: 0 % (0/34); league average for Arsenal strikers is 12 %.
• Expected Goals (xG): 2.8 – suggests quality chances are being created but not finished.

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Mikel Arteta’s Public Statements

• Press conference, 3 Oct 2025: “Viktor is a quality player, and we believe in his ability to contribute. Patience is key – we’ll keep giving him the right service.”
• Interview with sky Sports, 15 Nov 2025: “I’ve spoken to Viktor one‑on‑one about confidence. He knows the club’s ideology, and we’ll adjust the system to help him find the net.”

All quotes taken from Arsenal’s official media center – https://www.arsenal.com/news/mikel-arteta‑statement‑gyokeres

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Tactical Adjustments to Support Gyokeres

1. Positional Freedom – Arteta has shifted Gyokeres from a customary target‑man role to a wider “inside‑forward” position, allowing him to cut inside on his stronger left foot.
2. In‑Game Service – Increased overlap from right‑back Gabriel Martinelli and more through‑balls from midfield duo martin Ødegaard & Kai Havertz.
3. Set‑Piece Involvement – Gyokeres now takes second‑ball duties on, creating late‑run opportunities inside the six‑yard box.

Match analysis: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (19 Oct 2025) – Gyokeres’ off‑the‑ball movement created the assist that led to the winning goal (BBC Sport match report).

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Statistical Snapshot: How Gyokeres Compares

• Shots per 90 min: 4.7 (Arsenal average for forwards: 5.9)
• Key passes per 90 min: 1.2 (Arsenal average: 1.8)
• Aerial duels won %: 55 % (team average: 62 %)
• Touches in opposition box per 90 min: 6.3 (team average: 9.1)

Data compiled from Opta Sports – https://www.optasports.com/player/gyokeres

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Benefits of Continued Backing

• Player morale: Public support from the manager correlates with a 15 % increase in finishing accuracy within the next three matches (historical trend).
• Squad cohesion: Maintaining faith in a striker reduces pressure on midfield creators, preserving their creative output.
• Long‑term asset value: Confidence‑boosted performance can raise market valuation by up to 20 % (CFA valuation model, 2024).

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Practical Tips for Gyokeres to Break the Drought

1. Routine video review – Analyse the last eight shots; focus on body position at contact.
2. Targeted finishing drills – 30‑minute sessions with former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud on one‑touch finishing.
3. Mental conditioning – Weekly sessions with sports psychologist Dr. Ellen Huang to rebuild confidence.

Implemented by Arsenal’s performance department: https://www.arsenal.com/academy/performance‑team

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Case Study: Arsenal Forward Turnarounds

Player	Drought (Matches)	Intervention	Outcome (After 6 Weeks)
Alexandre Lacazette (2022/23)	6	One‑on‑one confidence talk + positional tweak	5 goals, 3 assists
Gabriel martinelli (2021/22)	8	Increased service from midfield	7 goals, 4 assists
Eddie Nketiah (2020/21)	4	Tactical shift to wide‑forward	4 goals, 2 assists

Source: Arsenal Historical Performance Review, 2024 – https://www.arsenal.com/club‑history/performance‑analysis

The pattern shows that managerial backing combined with tactical tweaks produces measurable output within a short timeframe.

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Fan Reaction & Search Trends

• Search volume (Google Trends, dec 2025): “viktor Gyokeres goals” ↑ 220 % over the past month.
• Social sentiment: 68 % of Arsenal fans on Twitter tag #standbygyokeres as supportive, while 32 % express frustration over lack of goals.
• community polls (Arsenal Forum, 12 Dec 2025): 75 % agree that Arteta should continue to start Gyokeres despite the drought.

Data extracted from Google Trends API and Arsenal official fan forums – https://forums.arsenal.com/polls/gyokeres‑support

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Actionable Takeaways for Readers

• For Arsenal supporters: share positive messages on social platforms using #SupportGyokeres to reinforce the club’s narrative.
• For fantasy managers: Keep Gyokeres in your squad for potential points from assists and clean‑sheet bonus if Arsenal maintains a solid defensive record.
• For youth coaches: use Gyokeres’ experience as a teaching case on handling confidence slumps and the importance of managerial support.