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Viktor Gyokeres has struggled for consistency since joining Arsenal in the summer
Viktor Gyokeres has admitted he has faced “challenge” since his move to Arsenal, but is not thinking about the noise around his own self-belief.
Scoring in a fifth game this season from 10 appearances, seven goals in total, the Swedish striker proved to be the difference as the Gunners claimed a 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday night.
The goal came from the penalty spot after Jake O’Brien’s baffling handball. The Swede explained, however, that it was not a charitable decision by established taker Bukayo Saka, but more so just an organic choice.
“We have a few who can take penalties, so it was just my turn,” he said. Adding, “We were talking about who wanted to take it. It was just a collective effort to get those goals.”
The 27-year-old has come in for plenty of scrutiny since the start of the season, despite fellow summer arrivals Joao Pedro, Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak having no more league goals than him for their respective clubs.
Gyokeres, however, explained when asked about how he was and how he was dealing with questions over his self-belief that it is not occupying his thoughts much and understands any player can have tough periods.
“You can be in a period like that as a football player,” he replied. “It has been like that for me in the last few weeks. Of course, we have won football matches, and that is the most important thing when you are here. You want to contribute on the pitch and do your job.
“You take it game by game, and try to do your best to take advantage of the chances you get. I don't think too much about it.”
He added when asked how he personally would asses his current form: “I think I am doing good, but it is still a challenge.”
The win moved Arsenal top of the Premier League once again as the Gunners went into the match with Everton chasing Manchester City down.
Yet the former Sporting CP striker says that chasing or being chased is the same thing for the team and on the pitch, they remain blinkered on claiming the three points for themselves.
“It is the same thing,” Gyokeres said. “Don't think too much about those things. Focus on what we can influence, not on the other teams.”
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