Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal’s stance clear on Viktor Gyökeres’ struggles

Arsenal, despite struggling with quite a few things over the last few weeks, are still getting things done. They are still beating teams when they are supposed to, and that has helped them a lot in terms of staying ahead of their rivals in the Premier League race.

They have not looked convincing on either end like they were earlier in the season, but at this point, where things are so busy and crammed up, the only logical thing for them to focus on is winning. The rest can be and will be fixed later.

One of the things that needs fixing is Viktor Gyokeres' form. Since joining the club, Gyokeres has only been able to show some sparks of his stint at Sporting, and has largely gone goalless in big games and big moments.

Against Brighton, even though he was more involved than he usually is, Gyokeres still ended the game goalless, and with a few really, really manageable opportunities missed.

Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal’s stance clear on Viktor Gyökeres’ struggles

Gyokeres should have scored at least one goal against the Seagulls, and even though he looked good otherwise, the goalscoring is essentially what Arsenal have brought him in for, and if that does not work, then things will be difficult.

Mikel Arteta was asked about Gyokeres' struggles, and he did what any good manager would do in that situation: he backed his striker and publicly supported him.

He said: "We want him to score, obviously he had a few chances vs Brighton, a few great positions, the ball didn't arrive, so, keep insisting, it's the only way.”

Arteta clearly praised Gyokeres' positioning in that quote. He knows the Swedish striker is getting into the right spots. He is making the right runs. He is making the right passes - mostly - and the only thing that is left for Gyokeres to do is to put the ball in the back of the net on a more consistent basis.

Much easier said than done, obviously, but Arteta is spot on. The only way for Gyokeres to change this is to keep doing what he is doing. At one point, the ball will start going in, and then things will change.

Obviously, Gyokeres would be better off being even more involved in the play, as that will give him the confidence he needs when he is up against a goalkeeper, but slowly, things will start improving.