Premier League 2025-26: Goals will come soon for Gyokeres, says Arsenal boss Arteta

Six goals in 18 games was not the impact Arsenal expected from summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, but manager Mikel Arteta is confident the Swede will perform well.

Gyokeres scored 54 times for Sporting last season but that lethal goal has been missing since his £64m move and the 27-year-old has scored one goal in the Premier League since September.

The fact that Arsenal are top of the table ahead of Saturday’s home game with Wolverhampton Wanderers shows that Gyokeres’ problems have not affected the team, but after last weekend’s defeat at Aston Villa reduced the lead, Arteta needs him to score freely quickly.

«I think we have to get the player in the best possible condition to explode and fulfill his potential. And there are certain things that have to be fulfilled within the role, the way we play,» Arteta told reporters.

«And it’s not just that. I think ultimately the connections and the players around him are more important. And before the injury, I think he was in a great place.»

«He hasn’t had a pre-season. And now he’s starting to get some momentum again. And the goals will come, and we’ll be very happy with him.»

Arteta has other options now that Gabriel Jesus is fit again after making his first appearance of the season as a substitute in the midweek Champions League win over Bruges.

«We know his quality, he has given us so much. If he comes with the quality he did recently, then he is definitely a player who has to push and strive for that (to start up front),» Arteta said.

The latest 2-1 defeat at Villa was a shock to Arsenal’s title ambitions, and the lead over Manchester City is just two points and Villa is three points.

With winless Wolves already looking doomed to destruction after failing to win any of their opening 15 games, Arsenal have the perfect opportunity to get back on track and claim another three points of the 90-plus that Arteta believes will be needed.

Not that he’ll let any complacency creep in.

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“After what happened and the result against Aston Villa, this is a huge opportunity for us to win and put ourselves in a good position,” Arteta said. “(The players) understand that a team in their position has to react and show their teeth.”

Arteta was wary of the fitness of defender William Saliba, who has missed the last three games, while he said midfielder Declan Rice was ill this week.

“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said. «It remains the same. If you asked me before the game against Everton, I think he will be fit; for tomorrow I don’t know,» he said of Saliba.

About Rice, he added: «Let’s see how he is today. He was sick, that’s an illness, normally it gets resolved in a few days, but we have to wait and see.»

Published on December 12, 2025