Mikel Arteta said what no Arsenal fan wants to admit about Viktor Gyökeres

Viktor Gyökeres has gone through a horrid time at Arsenal, but it's not through a lack of trying. Mikel Arteta knows about the standards he holds himself to, and he's reminded the fans of that.

When Viktor Gyökeres signed for Arsenal in the most recent summer transfer window, he arrived with a huge weight on his shoulders. The center-forward position at Arsenal was one that needed to be filled years ago, but now that the signing had been made, there was an added level of scrutiny.

As any player arriving from the Portuguese league would, it took some time for Gyökeres to judge. However, in his first few months, the Swedish striker has already disproven a few myths about himself.

Firstly, Gyökeres was accused of being a flat-track bully. That nonsensical claim, fueled by nothing other than Gyökeres arriving from Sporting CP, has been proven wrong. He's scored against Atletico Madrid, famously one of the hardest teams in the world to score against, and Chelsea.

Secondly, Gyökeres has proven another myth wrong, and Mikel Arteta let us all know about.

Mikel Arteta sides with Viktor Gyökeres, despite his Arsenal critics

Mikel Arteta stood up for Viktor Gyökeres in a way that any coach should. He sided with the scrutinized striker and said it's clear as day how hard he trains and how badly he wants to succeed at Arsenal.

What's more, Arteta emphasized the fact that Gyökeres is only under the spotlight because of the brave position he's put himself in: carrying the heavy weight of being the center-forward at a title-contending team like Arsenal.

In his own words, Mikel Arteta said: “No, I haven't seen [Gyökeres doubting himself]. He's a very demanding person. He knows the level that we need."

Arteta continued: "I think, when you've done what he's done in the last few years, you just set the standards that everybody expects you to maintain."

“I don't know [if the criticism is fair]. It's part of the expectations, but it's not only for Viktor. It's for every number nine in the league or in every top club or in every position that you play or in my seat, you know. We expect to be really good, really consistent, and to win constantly. And that's what we have to try to do.”

Arsenal fans have been too harsh on Viktor Gyökeres

The truth is, fans can be fickle. This is part and parcel of being a fan, especially of a team that's desperate to win the league after years of coming agonizingly close.

Sometimes, it's important to step back. Why on earth would a player like Gyökeres, who has built his career from the ground up, settle for mediocrity?

It sounds like a nonsensical question, but believing the contrary is a trap that fans fall into. Gyökeres knows that the standards are high, but that doesn't mean he needs to be down in the dumps.

Every match, Gyökeres shows up and does what he's asked to do. He's one of Arsenal's hardest workers on the pitch, and now that his confidence is high, he's well on his way to proving a lot of his doubters wrong.