Arteta backs ‘unlucky’ summer signing to hit scoring stride as Arsenal prepare for Fulham

Mikel Arteta has offered his firm backing to summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, insisting it is only a matter of time before the striker’s performances are rewarded with goals.

Ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Craven Cottage this weekend, the Gunners boss was asked about Gyökeres’ recent form after a quiet international break with Sweden, where he has partnered Alexander Isak in a misfiring side.

Arteta believes the Swedish team’s struggles highlight how football is rarely as simple as putting talented players together and expecting instant success.

“Yes, but as well it’s a good representation of what is football,” he said. “It doesn’t work like this and it’s a really good example of how tough this industry and this sport is. Even with the best possible ingredients, sometimes it’s not enough to win.

“I saw him yesterday and if that’s done something, it’s made him even more eager and more determined to do what he has to do here.”

Gyökeres has not been short of chances since joining Arsenal – scoring three goals at home so far – and Arteta pointed out that luck has played a major role in his numbers so far.

“I think he’s been very unlucky,” he said. “The more I watch some of the actions, [he’s been] very, very unlucky not to score another four or five goals easily by now. They will come and sometimes he will have that luck that probably he didn’t have before.”

Arteta also praised the 26-year-old’s mentality, revealing that Gyökeres accepted the possibility of a dry spell with a steely focus rather than frustration.

“He looks at you, he doesn’t move. He said, it’s fine, it’s good, let’s go for it,” Arteta explained. “He’s just a very single-targeted mindset player. And that’s what I love about him.”

Arteta believes that mindset is a prerequisite for becoming a top striker, noting that Gyökeres’ journey has included setbacks along the way.

“Get ready and deal with it with naturality and obviously all the support that he has from us,” he added.

Arsenal head to Fulham top of the Premier League table, but Arteta stressed the importance of focusing on performance rather than league position at this early stage of the season.