Mikel Arteta's glaring Viktor Gyokeres admission as Arsenal star set clear challenge

Viktor Gyokeres has endured a tough time since joining Arsenal last summer

Mikel Arteta has backed Viktor Gyokeres to have a strong second half of the season - but has admitted the Swede has endured a “difficult” start at his new club.

The struggle has been attributed to the timing of his arrival, the lack of pre-season, and, most recently, the injury he suffered at Burnley that interrupted his stride.

Asked for an assessment of his time so far at the club, the Spaniard believes that he has seen plenty of evidence that his marquee striker signing will come good.

“Well, I think the level of attention on him hasn't changed since he signed to today. It’s normal,” Arteta explained. “Everybody was so excited to bring him into the club.

“We did it. We brought a player with an incredible scoring record who had 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's a player that needs that, like any other player in this league, almost to perform at that level. Then he kicked on. I think he had a really good period, and he got injured.

“And now he's back. I saw a lot of positive things in the last two games that he's done. I know we need to continue to tweak and understand him a little bit better in certain situations, and he needs to do the same, but that's about time. We have full support for him.”

The 27-year-old has received increased scrutiny in the past week after being substituted for Gabriel Jesus in both matches against Club Brugge and Wolves without a goal. The Brazilian had a greater involvement in each game despite the reduced exposure on the field.

Yet Arteta again was appreciative of the striker and believes he’s seen things in these games which give him reason for encouragement.

“The way he thinks, the way he interacts with people, the timing of his run and his movements,” Arteta said when asked what it is he and the team need to understand better about him.

“And, again, as I said, it has to be both ways. Always, when there's a relationship, it has to be understanding.

“There are certain signals and certain chemistries that we have to build. But I quite like what I've seen in the last few games, and it was very unlucky not to get with that ball in front of the keeper without any defenders three or four times.”

The trip to Everton marks Gyokeres’ 20th appearance, should he receive the call-up. With Jesus and Mikel Merino available to Arteta, there is no guarantee for him.

“I think he's given us every reason as well to consider him in a really serious way,” Arteta said of Merino, who has five goals this season.

“You look at the goals that he's scored and the importance of those goals. I think he needs to be right up there.”