Amid a six-game scoring slump, the Arsenal manager challenges his star striker to push through the pressure, while an injury to captain Odegaard tests the squad’s resolve.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued a blunt challenge to his struggling striker, Viktor Gyokeres, insisting the player must mentally withstand the pressure of a goal drought if he is to succeed at the club. The directive comes as the Swedish international heads into Saturday’s match against Fulham without a goal in his last six appearances for the Gunners.
Gyokeres, a prolific scorer at his former club Sporting Lisbon, has found the net only three times since his high-profile move to North London. His last goal for Arsenal was over a month ago, and he also failed to score during the recent international break with Sweden, extending his barren run to eight games across all competitions.
In a revealing insight into his demands, Arteta recounted a conversation from the player’s first days at the club. “I told him before the first meeting: ‘the nine that I want is a nine that when he doesn’t score for six or eight games, he can handle that. If not, you have to go somewhere else,'” Arteta stated. He emphasized that wearing the famous Arsenal number nine shirt comes with immense expectation, and a player cannot afford to let his confidence waver.
Despite the lack of goals, Arteta was quick to highlight Gyokeres’ other contributions. “He brings so much to the team. He creates space and solutions for a lot of the players around him,” the manager explained, urging patience and pointing to the historical challenges faced by strikers at top clubs.
The need for Gyokeres to rediscover his form is amplified by a significant injury blow. Captain and creative lynchpin Martin Odegaard is set for a month on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury sustained before the international break. Arteta confirmed the Norwegian playmaker will be out for “a few weeks,” but stressed that as captain, Odegaard must still “drive the standard” and be an example for the team from the sidelines.
The injuries and selection pressures come at a critical time, with Arsenal now sitting atop the Premier League and installed as bookmakers’ favorites to win the title. A victory against Fulham could see them extend their lead, piling pressure on rivals Liverpool.
When asked if his team could end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League crown, Arteta was resolute: “It is possible. We will if we continue to win a lot of football matches. I’m sure we will be there.”
Similar Posts:
- Injury Crisis Deepens as Arsenal Lose Gyokeres Before Champions League Trip
- Arteta’s Milestone Marred by Injury Concerns as Arsenal Triumph
- Arteta Issues Odegaard Injury Update Ahead of Crucial Champions League Opener
- Gyokeres Silences Doubters as Arsenal Crush Atletico
- Arteta Braces Arsenal for Electric Newcastle Test as Title Pressure Mounts
