Mikel Arteta has defended Viktor Gyokeres after the Arsenal striker's quiet performance in the goalless draw with Liverpool, insisting the summer signing is 'getting better'. Gyokeres, who cost the Gunners £64 million, managed just seven touches before being substituted with half an hour remaining.
Many Arsenal fans expressed disappointment on social media, with the Sweden international having scored only five goals in 18 Premier League games and gone 11 matches without a goal from open play. Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was highly critical of Gyokeres' display.
However, Arteta backed his striker, saying: 'He was in great positions. Sometimes the ball didn't arrive. As I said, there were situations where we got into the six-yard box that are normally a goal or you pick somebody out to score a goal. We didn't do that.' Asked if Gyokeres is improving, Arteta simply replied: 'Yes.'
Arsenal missed the chance to open an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after Manchester City dropped points. Arteta admitted his side were second-best in the second half, adding: 'We were very inconsistent with the ball, losing balls that were very unusual for us.'
