Viktor Gyokeres has insisted he wants to stay at Arsenal, as he dismissed criticism of his performances this season.
The striker was the club's top scorer in his first season at the Emirates Stadium and played his part in the Gunners ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title. However, he has looked an uncomfortable fit for this Arsenal side for large periods, with Mikel Arteta consistently favouring Kai Havertz over the Swede in the biggest matches.
Limited Game Time
The No14 has started only one match in the league for Arsenal this season, missing out on a place in the side even after scoring and assisting against Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
Despite that frustration, Gyokeres was clear when asked by Fotbollskanalen whether he wanted to stay at Arsenal.
"I want to," he replied. "It feels good when I've played. We've won most of the games. It was a tough loss in the cup [Fleetwood]. Otherwise it's felt good for myself and the team. I've been doing well lately when I've been playing. Right now it feels good."
Communication with Arteta
Gyokeres also discussed his relationship with the manager, saying: "The communication with Arteta is good. We talk about football and how we should play. Before a match, if I'm going to start, we talk about the opponents and what I should think about."
Gyokeres has faced criticism for his performances, particularly early in the season when he had a run of looking well off the pace. Despite those displays improving, Troy Deeney has been among those to still take aim at the striker, claiming the Arsenal players do not trust Gyokeres to give him the ball on the pitch.
Response to Critics
"Sometimes it might get to me, but overall not so much," Gyokeres said in response to the critics. "If I score goals and assists in the Champions League, I couldn't care less what they say.
"It's nice to do those kinds of performances. To deliver for myself and for the team. That's where the focus lies. It's natural too. It's what gets the most headlines and what sticks the most when people listen. I understand that's how it is."
