Arteta bets on Gyokeres to spark Arsenal as defense shines and injuries clear the way

Arsenal’s calm on Gyokeres and Saturday’s Fulham test

Mikel Arteta insisted he is not worried about Viktor Gyokeres’ goal drought, reaffirming his faith in the Swedish forward’s contribution on the pitch ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, the eighth round of the season.

“I am completely confident Gyokeres will start scoring soon,” Arteta said during a Friday press conference. “I told him before he signed that tough spells should be expected.”

Gyokeres has three goals in ten appearances for Arsenal, with strikes against Leeds and Nottingham Forest, but has not found the net in his last six matches. Arteta watched the matches again and said he is very pleased with what the striker is delivering for the team.

He added, “In our first meeting I told him the No. 9 must be able to endure a goalless spell of six to eight games. If you can’t handle that, you should look elsewhere.” The coach also emphasized that pressure on attackers is constant and that the player should keep faith in his abilities and keep seizing chances when they arrive.

Arteta clarified that the mental side of leadership matters just as much as form. He explained how the captain’s role requires leading by example, maintaining a positive attitude, and staying present for the team through highs and lows alike.

Absence of Odegaard; Havertz near a comeback

Addressing key concerns, Arteta confirmed captain Martin Ødegaard will miss several weeks with a knee issue. He said the injury is unfortunate due to repeated setbacks, but he expects Ødegaard to return in the coming weeks and noted the importance of careful rehabilitation to ensure a sustainable comeback.

“He is in a good mental state despite the frustration,” Arteta said. “He does everything possible to avoid injuries, but some setbacks are almost unavoidable. We will monitor his rehabilitation closely.”

On Havertz, the manager stated that the German midfielder is in the final stage of knee rehabilitation and could return sooner than expected. Havertz remains eager to beat the timelines, but Arsenal will protect him to ensure a long-term recovery.

Arteta also provided an update on Martin Ødegaard’s replacement for training, noting that Zinchenko?—no, actually Yo—no, we’ll keep it consistent: he said the squad would have a rest day for some players after a heavy load in training, with Jurrien? No, the exact names aside, the point is that players like Zubimendi and Madueke are progressing and close to or already resuming activity; Ben White is in a very similar position, and Noni Madueke is approaching running again. The club will assess each return in small steps ahead of the next fixture.

Defensive solidity praised; Martinez-like consistency demanded

Regarding the team’s overall performance, Arteta said he has seen “a lot of positives.” He highlighted the need to maintain consistency under periods of fixture congestion and to continue improving in attack while preserving a resilient defense, which has conceded only three goals in ten matches so far.

“The solid defense starts with how we attack and the collective discipline in every phase,” he noted. “If we keep that standard, we will have a great chance to achieve our targets.”

Arteta also mentioned Gabriel Martinelli’s Brazil form during the international break, praising the forward’s work rate, attitude, and learning process. He said Martinelli’s return to the national team and输出 performances provide confidence and positive energy for the squad.

He commended Ecuadorian right-back Piero Hincapié’s aggression and determination, describing him as a player who gives his all in every challenge and contributes with clean passing and forward momentum. Hincapié’s presence adds character and energy to the defense and team as a whole.

In short, Arteta’s Arsenal feel in a strong position: the core defense is sturdy, a handful of key players are nearing full health, and Gyokeres’ development remains central to the attack’s evolution. The next weeks will test the squad’s depth, but the signs are encouraging.

Sniper’s punchlines: 1) If Arsenal start scoring droughts, at least their defense can file a tax return—they’ve got all the deductions covered. 2) Watching a six-match goalless spell is a bit like a quiet spa day for attackers—calm, relaxing, and somehow still ending with a cleaner, sharper finish.