Arteta Defends Gyokeres as Arsenal Edge Wolves, Warning: Late Lapses Catching Up

Arsenal boss defends Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres despite his ongoing drought in front of goal.

Arteta's verdict after a hard-fought win

Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of the clash with Wolverhampton, which Arsenal won 2-1 in the sixteenth round of the Premier League. He said the victory was the result of determination and the ability to find solutions even with periods of unacceptable dips, especially defensively.

After the game, Arteta told TNT Sports: "We knew it would be a tough game. In the first half we had big chances, but we failed to capitalize them."

He added that attacking play improved somewhat in the second half, despite fewer clear opportunities, and explained: "In the second half we didn't create many clear chances, but we did it better to some extent."

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Gyokeres, chances, and late lapses

However he did not hide his frustration at periods of slack that nearly cost the team precious points, notably in the final minutes when the side looked passive. "We had spells, especially in the last three minutes, where we were too passive, with very poor defensive habits, and that's unacceptable for our level. We need to improve that," he said.

Arteta noted that Arsenal eventually had to rely on a solo effort to clinch the win, which reflects sometimes the nature of the Premier League, saying: "In the end, it depends on a single moment to score and win."

He also touched on the attacking efficiency, admitting his side created several dangerous chances but didn't always choose the right player for the final pass. He said: "We create a lot of chances, but we don't always pick the right person for the decisive pass."

Despite the technical notes, Arteta stressed his belief in his team's ability to find solutions regardless of the state of the match, adding: "Regardless of how the game goes, you can always find a way to win."

Regarding the upcoming phase, the Arsenal boss emphasized the importance of the short break before the Christmas fixture schedule, calling it a valuable opportunity to reorganize and prepare for what's next. He said: "Now we'll have a clean week, then we return. We know exactly what happens during Christmas."

On Viktor Gyokeres' performance, who started, Arteta defended his player, noting he was in good positions, but the problem was the speed and accuracy of delivering the ball to him. He said: "Victor was in many good positions, but the ball didn't reach the box quickly or sharply enough. His effort and intent were evident."

In closing, Arteta revealed some bad news about defender Ben White, who had to leave the game with a hamstring issue; not good news on that front.

Punchline: If defending were an Olympic sport, Arsenal would win gold—they just need a tiny bit more polish before the next sprint.

Punchline: And if Christmas fixtures are a test, Arsenal are bringing the coffee for the long night ahead, with a side of stubborn defense and a dash of late drama.