Viktor Gyokeres has received a huge vote of confidence from Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson after a mixed start to his Arsenal career.
The Gunners invested £63.5million in the striker during the summer transfer window after Mikel Arteta sanctioned a move for the former Sporting Lisbon star.
Gyokeres was prolific during his time in Portugal, amassing 97 goals, but he has found life far tougher in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old has scored three times for his new club but has blanked in each of his last six appearances.
While his hold play and chemistry with this new teammates appears to be improving, there have been some early teething troubles.
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Tomasson, however, insists Gyokeres’ critics have been far too harsh on a player who remains integral to his nation’s World Cup hopes.
Speaking at a news conference on Monday, as per FotbollSkanalen, Tomasson said: ‘Viktor Gyokeres is in very good form at the moment and is very good.
‘If people say he doesn’t have an impact (on matches), then they don’t understand football and don’t have a clue about football.
‘He creates space for other players, works on the ball and makes runs.
‘It’s excellent and he scores goals almost all the time, so he has an impact and has been very good.
‘It’s always nice, as you need time when you come to a new club.’
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Despite a less than prolific form Arteta, too, has been effusive in his praise of a player whose selfless work ethic was to the fore again during Saturday’s win over West Ham which took Arsenal to the top of the table and the Champions League victory over Olympiacos three days prior.
‘He had an incredible performance,’ said after the Greek champions had been beaten 2-0.
‘As you said, apart from the goal, I think he did the rest of the things you ask for from a striker.
‘The way he’s linking with his teammates, the way he’s opening spaces, the way he’s threatening constantly the back line.
‘He had three or four big situations where he could have scored a goal, so it will come.’