Mikel Arteta has warned doubters that Viktor Gyokeres will go up another level in the second half of Arsenal’s season — but needs his team-mates to understand him better.
The £64million striker has scored just six goals in 18 games across all competitions and underwhelmed since coming back from a muscle injury late last month.
That saw the 27-year-old criticised for his display in the Gunners’ 2-1 victory over Wolves last weekend, where he failed to make an impact.
Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Everton on Saturday, Arteta said: ‘Everybody was so excited to bring him into the club.
‘We did it. We brought a player with an incredible scoring record who had to adapt to the league. He had no pre-season.
‘The first few weeks were difficult because physically he wasn’t in his best state and he’s a player that needs that, like any other player in this league, almost to perform at that level.
Mikel Arteta (left) has predicted that Viktor Gyokeres will go up a level in the second -half of the ongoing season
‘Then he kicked on. I think he had a really good period and he got injured. Now he’s back.
‘I saw a lot of positive things in the last two games that he’s done. I know we need to continue to tweak and understand him a little bit better in certain situations, and he needs to do the same. But that’s about time. We have full support for him.’
When asked if fans will see him go up another level next year, he replied: ‘I think so, yes.’
