Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are heading in the right direction to get the best from striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The 27-year-old, signed from Sporting Lisbon last summer, struggled early in the Premier League but has shown clear improvement. Since the start of 2026 he has scored eight goals in all competitions and has 10 league goals this season — already more than any Arsenal player managed last term — including a brace in Sunday’s north London derby.
“I think one thing leads to another,” Arteta said, describing how growing confidence and understanding between Gyokeres and his team-mates is producing better returns. He called Gyokeres “undoubtedly an incredible striker” and underlined the coaching task: keep creating chances while the forward adapts further to the team and the league.
When asked whether Gyokeres had lost confidence, Arteta suggested that only the player could answer that, but used the quality of training sessions as evidence of his ability. He noted that Arsenal defenders find it difficult to deal with Gyokeres in training — “a really good way to understand the quality of a player or how it is to defend him.”
Arsenal sit five points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand, and aim to extend their lead when they host Chelsea on Sunday. Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal in their last eight Premier League meetings (five defeats, three draws), but Arteta warned past results do not change preparation; each match demands fresh focus as contexts and squads evolve.
Reflecting on the club’s recent near-misses, Arteta said the objective is simple: move on from finishing runners-up and target first place. “Always get better, always try to excel the possibilities of the team,” he added.