Mikel Arteta aims subtle dig at Arsenal stars in staunch Viktor Gyokeres defence

Viktor Gyokeres was unable to make a lasting impact against Wolves with Mikel Arteta feeling forced to defend the Arsenal striker

Mikel Arteta has defended Viktor Gyokeres' display against Wolves and instead attributed his struggles to other Arsenal stars. The Gunners won 2-1 on Saturday evening, with all three goals coming in the final 20 minutes and the game-deciding one arriving deep into stoppage time.

An unfortunate own goal by Sam Johnstone from a Bukayo Saka corner put Arsenal in front only for Tolu Arokodare to equalise in the final minute of normal time. However, Yerson Mosquera inadvertently headed into his own net in the fourth minute of added time to hand Arsenal the points.

Up against the Premier League's bottom side, Arsenal were miles from their best, with Arteta acknowledging that and why they may have found it difficult.

He said in a press conference: "Yeah, [winning] at the end of the day but we knew it was gonna be a tough match, especially if we didn't manage to score early in the game. We had a lot of situations in the first half, one massive big chance for Martinelli, two yards out, totally free and we don't score.

"But we struggled once we arrived into those danger zones to pick a red shirt in the box. We had many situations and then we didn't generate many clear chances.

"In the second half, we did that a bit better, we scored the goal. But then we had periods of three minutes in deep, so passive, really poor defensive habits. Not acceptable for our level because we haven't conceded a single shot until that point. The first time they do it, they score a goal. That's the Premier League.

"We are very much aware of that and have to improve that because at the very end we rely on one individual action, a very chaotic action to score the goal and win the game, and the margin should have been bigger."

Wolves successfully deployed a low block at Emirates Stadium which saw Gyokeres barely involved. He managed just 15 touches during his 81 minutes on the pitch, but Arteta instead opted to suggest others can do more to help him.

On Gyokeres needing to do more but also have chances created for him, Arteta said: "It's a collaboration between the two. He was in a lot of really good positions and the ball didn't get into the area quick enough, sharp enough or just with the precision that is required for a No.9 to score the goal.

"But his work rate and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting."

The only major negative coming out of the clash was the hamstring injury suffered by Ben White with Arteta issuing an update after the game.

He admitted: "Looks like a hamstring, so we don't know the extent of that, but probably tomorrow or the day after we'll know more."

Injuries have plagued Arsenal's 2025/26 season with Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and William Saliba all doubts heading into the weekend. Arteta even revealed it was a risk to play the latter after he had missed the last few weeks.

"We had to even risk today Willy because probably it wasn't their best goal to play 90 minutes because we were buying tickets for another injury, but we don't have anybody else."