Mikel Arteta Defends Viktor Gyökeres: 'This is just a phase!'

Mikel Arteta has spoken on Viktor Gyökeres’ tough start to the campaign with the Gunners boss speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.

Viktor Gyökeres, who is yet to find the net for Arteta’s side this season, has struggled in his start to the 2026/27 campaign. The Swedish striker had an incredible international break, where he found the net in all four of Sweden’s Nations League fixtures, but the 28-year-old has struggled to replicate this form in the limited opportunities that he has been given in red and white so far this season.

Speaking on the Swede in the lead-up to Arsenal’s crucial fixture at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon, the Spaniard said that his £55million striker is just in a ‘phase.’ Arteta went on to say, ‘These are moments in a player’s career, or in a season, I would say, and we are trying to help him as much as possible.’

Gyökeres has only played 299 minutes of football in all competitions this season, with only 56 of those coming in three substitute appearances in the Premier League. He has started both of Arsenal’s Champions League victories and played his only full 90 minutes of the season in the 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town, but is yet to record a goal contribution.

Despite his struggles, Arteta was quick to mention his ‘positive actions’ so far this season. ‘The other day, I think he had some very good moments. He’s three or four times in front of goal with no keeper, and the ball should arrive to him, and it doesn’t,’ the boss said.

Although he is not currently finding the back of the net, Arteta has backed his striker to ‘change the narrative’ when the goals do start to arrive. ‘It’s very small margins - scoring or not scoring changes the narrative,’ the Spaniard went on to say.

There is no doubt that he is going through a tough patch in his career, but Arteta has said that Gyökeres’ attitude and determination remain at a top level, ‘I think what he transmits is an incredible will and determination and work rate to improve and help the team, that’s it.’

It is clear that Kai Havertz, who has netted three times and has provided one assist in 618 minutes in all competitions so far this season, remains the manager’s first-choice striker, but Mikel Arteta has insisted that Viktor Gyökeres still remains more than a viable option to lead his Arsenal line. When asked whether the Swede remains an option for him at the club, Arteta revealed, ‘That’s Viktor every single day, regardless of his position, whether he scores a goal or not, and that’s why he’s always an option to play.’

It is clear to see that Arteta is still full of support and praise for Gyökeres even whilst he is facing his current adversities. The boss believes that once he is able to find the back of the net, the floodgates will open.

For the striker, it is about taking the chances when he does get them, because once Gyökeres does start to find the back of the net, there will be serious headaches to overcome for Mikel Arteta in terms of selection.