Arsenal players 'don't trust' Viktor Gyokeres as Paul Merson and Ian Wright send striker message

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has been sent messages from Ian Wright and Paul Merson about his form

Paul Merson has explained why he believes Arsenal’s players "don't trust" Viktor Gyokeres, while former Gunners star Ian Wright has sent a clear message to the striker.

Gyokeres signed for Arsenal last summer from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth £64million (€73.5million) including add-ons, which put an end to intense speculation linking the Gunners with signing a striker.

Since moving to north London, Gyokeres has scored 11 goals across all competitions, with just six coming in the Premier League this term.

As a result, the Sweden international has occasionally been the subject of criticism from pundits, with Merson the latest to voice his concerns.

Appearing on the Stick to Football podcast, Merson has claimed that he does not think Gyokeres is trusted by his Arsenal teammates.

FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"I watch Gyokeres, Arsenal don't trust him, the players," Merson said.

"They never pass to him, you watch him, next time he comes short they go 'no'."

Wright, an Arsenal legend, joined Merson on the podcast and issued a message to Gyokeres. Wright explained what he thinks Gyokeres needs to say to the Gunners dressing room which may help his form.

Wright asked: "Do you think it's because they are not used to him because they haven't had one [a striker] for so long?

"I've said I would be in the dressing room saying, 'When it's there, pass it to me, put it in the box'.

"This is what I am trying to explain, he's got to go in there, coming where he's come from and he's got to start pulling people apart. It's absolutely on him."

Merson concluded by comparing the service that Gyokeres gets from the Arsenal players compared to his teammate and fellow striker, Gabriel Jesus.

"If you watch it, you'd be surpised, then when [Gabriel] Jesus comes on, they [Arsenal players] keep on giving it him all the time.

"That's what I see from when I watch the game, he [Gyokeres] comes short and they never give him it. He makes some good runs as well.

"He's low [on confidence] at the moment but I don't think they trust him at all."

Gyokeres’ next opportunity to find the back of the net will be on Saturday when Arsenal will host Sunderland in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta and Co. go into the game having beaten Chelsea to reach the Carabao Cup final, and will now be determined to get the win against Sunderland and improve on their six-point lead at the top of the league table.