The three things Viktor Gyokeres must do to succeed at Arsenal after start to new career

Viktor Gyokeres’ strong start to life at Arsenal has somewhat slowed in terms of goalscoring. After scoring three goals in his first three matches, he has yet to find the back of the net and as a result questions have begun to circulate.

Mikel Arteta is not worried, however, with the Spaniard being particularly staunch in his defence and appreciation for the Swede. “What I sense is that he's doing better and better things every game,” Arteta said after the win over Olympiacos.

“Today he was denied a few times, one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional. Again, his work rate was really good, and yes, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn't do that, at least to do everything as he's doing for the team, because he's helping the team a lot.”

There is plenty more expected from the striker despite the growing noise around him. With that in mind, football.london looks at the three main things that Gyokeres needs to do in order to find success with the Gunners.

Put the blinkers on

With big expectation comes big pressure, and in times like this, it will be important for Gyokeres to just shut out the noise. Speaking to football.london in mid-September, he told Arsenal reporter Tom Canton that he was very aware of the weight on his shoulders.

“I wanted to get here and get going,” he said. “And yeah, of course, it's going to be pressure in a very, very big club.

“So yeah, you know that. But yeah, just trying to make the best when you're out on the pitch. And yeah, just don't think too much about that.”

When the questions start to emerge, it is important that he stays focused, puts on his blinkers, and shuts out the noise. He certainly has the personnel around him to make that happen.

Use the international break

Domestic action has concluded for a fortnight as the players go away to their respective nations to play. When speaking in September, Gyokeres admitted it had been some time since he had been back to his homeland for an extended period, but with two matches to be played at home in the World Cup qualifiers, he will get a chance.

Gyokeres has a great record for his country, scoring 15 times in 28 caps. If he can get some goals against either Switzerland or Kosovo, it will certainly benefit him to return to north London with some goals under his belt.

Keep doing the basics well

Arteta has been very complimentary of Gyokeres’ hard work and connection with his teammates. There has been such a shift in terms of style, moving from Kai Havertz’s false nine role to a more traditional centre-forward like the Swede.

His teammates have been learning as much about him as he has of them. Despite that he has held the ball up well, improved his runs and movement in the channels and is finding more opportunities come his way as a result.

To go from zero shots against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool to having some better opportunities showcases the small gains. The run of fixtures has been a trial by fire but now the matches are opening up and there are plenty of chances on the horizon to flourish.

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