Viktor Gyokeres value falls as Arsenal striker feels effects of £55m transfer

The striker, who averaged a goal a game in Portugal, has come under great scrutiny due to his limited impact. The 27-year-old often finds it difficult to be fully involved in Arsenal’s attacking play, with limited touches, but equally, his team-mates do not always find him in the correct positions.

Arteta has high hopes in his sharpshooter for the back end of the season. The Spaniard has pointed to a disrupted pre-season after Gyokeres attempted to force an exit from Sporting, and to injury as reasons the striker has not always looked up to speed thus far.

Speaking last month, Arteta said: “I think so. I think the level of attention on him hasn’t changed since he signed until today. It’s normal.

“Everyone was excited to bring a [number] nine to the club, we did it and we brought a player with an incredible goalscoring record who has to adapt to the league.

“He had no pre-season, the first few weeks were difficult because physically he wasn’t in his best state and he is a player that needs that to perform at the level.

“Then he kicked on, had a very good period and then got injured, but now he is back. I saw a lot of positive things in the last two games that he has done and we need to continue to understand him a little bit better in certain situations and he needs to do the same.”

Gyokeres remains Arsenal’s top goalscorer in the Premier League, joint with Leandro Trossard. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino and Eberci Eze are all within a goal. Former Gunners star Emmanuel Eboue has suggested they must prioritise Gyokeres more.

Speaking to Aceodds.com, Eboue said: “I watched him a lot when he played in Portugal and he is a very good striker. He is strong, but the problem is that the wingers don’t use him often enough. All of them want to score, but he is the striker. His job is to score.

“Henry always told me, Clichy, Ashley Cole and all the other guys, that he was the striker. He needed to score. He told us that he knew we wanted to score, but our job was not to score. Our job was to produce chances.