Arteta Highlights Gyökeres' Rise and Arsenal's Cohesion Ahead of Chelsea Fixture
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his delight with forward Viktor Gyökeres' recent performances, emphasizing the importance of trust and team dynamics as the Gunners gear up for a crucial Premier League encounter against Chelsea this Sunday. Gyökeres, who scored twice in Arsenal's emphatic 4-1 victory over Tottenham last weekend, is now showcasing the form that prompted his high-profile transfer from Sporting last summer.
Gyökeres' Transformation Under Arteta's Guidance
Arteta described Gyökeres as a player who exudes intensity on the pitch but is fundamentally a positive and composed individual off it. "He wants to kill you," Arteta joked, referring to Gyökeres' focused demeanor during matches. "He's got that eye. When he looks at you, he can look a bit intimidating." However, the manager was quick to clarify that this aggression is channeled productively in games, where Gyökeres has become a key asset for Arsenal.
The Swedish striker's adaptation to English football has been a focal point for Arteta, who acknowledged the challenges of moving from Sporting to Arsenal. "We didn't underestimate the step from Sporting to Arsenal," Arteta stated. "We tried to explain all the new circumstances and contexts that Viktor's going to have to adapt to. The big one was a different league, a different game model. Players that he never played with before. And on top of that, you come with expectations of being that No 9. That's a big one."
Building Confidence and Team Spirit
Arteta highlighted how Gyökeres' growing confidence has been bolstered by the support and camaraderie within the squad. "Confidence is the fundamental pillar for any person, whatever you do in life," Arteta explained. "And when you feel like you belong somewhere and you are liked, even better, if you are loved ... If you feel the trust of the people around you, I think then you can really hit the levels that everybody expects from you. Viktor now is in a moment where he starts to get those feelings and that is a really positive thing for performances."
This team spirit was evident during an unusual break in Arsenal's schedule, as the club had no midweek game for the first time in two months. Arteta gave the players time off, but was pleasantly surprised to find that many chose to spend it together. "But then you get very surprised," Arteta noted. "And I find out that eight or 10 players were having dinner in somebody's house or spent the whole afternoon together. That's the beauty of it – the fact that they want to be together; they feel that being together is the best thing they can do."
Looking Ahead to the Chelsea Challenge
Arsenal's upcoming match against Chelsea holds significant importance, with Arteta boasting an impressive record against the Blues – 10 wins, 4 draws, and only 2 losses in all competitions. This includes notable victories such as the FA Cup final in August 2020 and a key league win on Boxing Day of that year, which many believe helped secure Arteta's position at the club.
Gyökeres' form will be critical in this derby, especially as he approaches a milestone that could trigger additional payments to Sporting. With 15 goals and 2 assists so far, he needs just three more goal contributions to reach 20, which would activate a €500,000 add-on clause. Arteta humorously addressed this prospect, saying, "I hope the owners and everyone at the club is really happy if that's the case," indicating that such an outcome would be a positive sign of Gyökeres' impact.
As Arsenal aims to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, the combination of Gyökeres' scoring prowess and the team's strong unity under Arteta's leadership will be key factors in their pursuit of success this season.
