Mikel Arteta just said what Arsenal fans already knew about Viktor Gyökeres

Is Viktor Gyökeres starting to discover his best form in Arsenal colours? On Saturday, the Swedish international powered home the Gunners' third during their 4-0 demolition of Leeds United at Elland Road. Following Manchester City's collapse at Tottenham the next day, 2-0 up and cruising before only managing a draw, Arsenal now sit six points clear of the Sky Blues at the top.

For Gyökeres, that was his 11th goal for the club, which isn't too bad for a so-called flop. Having also been on target against Chelsea, Internazionale and Kairat in 2026, that is now four goals in his last six appearances for the Sweden international.

Manager Mikel Arteta has always backed the centre-forward he spent around £54.8 million to bring to North London in the summer. Perhaps now he can start to feel vindicated.

What Mikel Arteta had to say about Viktor Gyökeres

Speaking on Monday ahead of the second leg of Arsenal's EFL Cup semi-final against Chelsea, Arteta discussed Gyökeres. When asked where he had seen signs of improvement, the manager stated:

"Yes, well it is his all-round play and performances... He has been much more consistent in actions and consecutive actions especially. His defending input has been terrific... but attacking-wise, understanding his movement, the timings of his runs, the presence and movement of the ball has been much better. "

Arteta was then asked if he likes the fact that Gyökeres has been scoring goals that are not particularly aesthetically pleasing, to which he had this to say:

"Yes, I mean he has the ability to do that and goals are goals. I know that we prefer the beautiful ones on YouTube, but they are all very important and the ones we scored recently are very much the same."

For much of this season, Gyökeres has been the only genuine centre-forward option at Arteta's disposal. The now sidelined Mikel Merino was the Swede's sole competitor for minutes. Now though, both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are back following long-term injuries, with the Brazilian replacing Gyökeres off the bench in West Yorkshire on Saturday, bagging a goal of his own.

Havertz's return is more interesting. For the majority of the season, as well as last summer, the discussion was that the pair were in direct competition with one-another for minutes. On the contrary, starting for the first time in almost a year, the German was deployed in midfield against both Kairat and Leeds, at times pushing forward alongside Gyökeres to form a strike partnership in a 4-4-2.

Thus, it is no coincidence that the summer signing has looked sharper and more involved in both games, on the scoresheet during both victories too. So, perhaps, Havertz's comeback is just what Gyökeres needs to be at his best going forward.