Mikel Arteta Defends Viktor Gyökeres
Mikel Arteta, the head coach of Arsenal, came to the defense of striker Viktor Gyökeres amidst criticisms regarding his performance against prominent rivals. In their recent match against Manchester City, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate, the Swedish player had a notably quiet game, amassing only 22 touches and failing to register a single shot on goal. This lackluster performance mirrored his previous outings against Manchester United and Liverpool, where he also struggled to make an impact despite Arsenal securing a 1-0 win over United and losing against Liverpool by the same score, respectively.
Arteta’s Support for Gyökeres
Arteta acknowledged Gyökeres’ challenges, affirming that the striker was close to scoring, particularly when he was nearly able to capitalize on a cross from Leandro Trossard in the second half.
“There were many promising situations, and it was notably the final pass that let us down,”
Arteta remarked. He emphasized the need for the team to create better opportunities for Gyökeres, saying,
“He’s putting in the effort, and we need to support him more in that regard.”
Criticism from Jamie Carragher
These comments followed remarks made by former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher prior to the match, where he questioned whether Gyökeres truly possessed elite status as a forward. Carragher noted that in crucial matches, Gyökeres seemed to fall short, implying that Arsenal’s title aspirations would not hinge on his performance but rather on the contributions of their defensive players. After the conclusion of the match, Carragher reiterated his views, suggesting that Arsenal’s main issue was not their finishing capabilities but their overall creativity, criticizing the team for failing to create chances specifically for Gyökeres.
Midweek Struggles and Martinelli’s Impact
The striker’s struggles continued midweek during a match against Athletic Bilbao, where he failed to find the net despite Gabriel Martinelli scoring during a brief but impactful appearance off the bench. Martinelli’s late arrival proved critical as he equalized, showcasing his strong mentality and energy, which Arteta praised. The coach expressed satisfaction with Martinelli’s performance and reinforced the importance of all players, especially substitutes, maintaining a high standard to make a difference in games against top-tier opponents.
Looking Ahead to the Carabao Cup
As the team gears up for their upcoming Carabao Cup fixture against League One side Port Vale, Arteta revealed that while Martinelli could potentially start, fellow winger Noni Madueke might not feature due to fitness concerns following his substitution against City. Arteta noted that Madueke had encountered issues early in the match, which ultimately hindered his ability to continue playing.
