Sweden head coach Graham Potter has urged Viktor Gyokeres to shrug off his early-season struggles with Arsenal and put the criticism he has received to one side.
Gyokeres finished his debut season at the Emirates with 21 goals to his name in all competitions and a Premier League winners’ medal to show for his efforts.
But it’s fair to say Gyokeres blew hot and cold over the course of Arsenal’s title-winning campaign and there were even rumours he could be set for a move away from north London this summer – just 12 months after his £64million arrival from Sporting.
Gyokeres remained an Arsenal player as the transfer deadline came and went, though, and the 28-year-old striker will have been desperate to hit the ground running with some strong performances this term.
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However, the Sweden international was left as an unused substitute for Arsenal’s first two matches of the season in the Premier League, before making a 12-minute cameo appearance against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta handed Gyokeres his first start in Arsenal’s Champions League opener with Napoli last week but the forward had a quiet game before dropping down to the bench again.
After firing another blank in the side’s Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich on Tuesday night, Kai Havertz appears a shoo-in to be given the nod up front when the champions return to top-flight action away to Brighton this weekend.
‘Things happen. Things go up and down, just like life does,’ Potter said of Gyokeres’ form after naming the attacker in his squad for Sweden’s upcoming Nations League clashes with Romania, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
‘He’s a Premier League winner. He scored a lot of goals as a number nine for Arsenal.
‘He was incredible in World Cup qualifying and had a great World Cup as well.
‘Players at this level will always get criticism at some point. But there is no problem here.’
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Potter intends to provide Gyokeres with the ‘best conditions’ possible to help ensure the striker is able to turn his form around.
‘We love Viktor. He enjoys being here,’ the former Chelsea and Brighton manager added.
‘We will create the best conditions for him so that he can continue to be a top player.’
Asked how he planned to build Gyokeres’ confidence, Potter replied: ‘Like I said, it’s part of a footballer’s life.
‘Things can happen quickly and we just have to deal with it. Sometimes a change of scenery can help a player.
‘We’re all looking forward to having Viktor with us. We’re going to help him enjoy his football.’
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