Viktor Gyokeres subject of Mikel Arteta claim as Arsenal star told he'll 'never' be prolific

Viktor Gyokeres has struggled since his £64million move from Sporting Lisbon with the striker scoring four Premier League goals this season for Mikel Arteta's men

Paul Scholes reckons Arsenal players relish having Viktor Gyokeres in the team, though not necessarily for his finishing prowess. The Swedish forward's debut campaign in north London following his £64million switch from Sporting Lisbon has produced contrasting results so far.

His Premier League tally stands at strikes against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest - during Ange Postecoglou's tenure - and struggling Burnley. Four goals from 14 top-flight outings isn't disastrous, yet it pales compared to the remarkable 54 goals and 13 assists he delivered in his farewell campaign with Sporting.

Mikel Arteta's outfit pursued the striker throughout the summer window. Nevertheless, Scholes suggests Arsenal's squad appreciates Gyokeres' tireless commitment, even while doubting his long-term scoring potential.

On The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Manchester United icon Scholes commented: "Do you know what I think about Gyokeres? I don't think he's ever going to be an unbelievable goalscorer. But I think the rest of the team will like playing with him. He's a focal point and works his b****** off," he said as reports the Mirror.

Nicky Butt responded: "It might not be Gyokeres' fault this, it might be the other players not knowing where he is. It's tough for a player to go into a team that isn't used to playing with a centre forward.

"But he's a focal point to get them up the pitch. It had to be perfect for Arsenal to get into the final third last season. It had to be intricate to get up the pitch and they did it well to be fair. But with him he holds the ball up well and they get up the pitch."

Former United midfielder Butt then hinted that Arteta might not have been the driving force behind Gyokeres' signing, suggesting that the club was under immense pressure to bring in a new striker. The ex-midfielder stated: "It's the pressure.

"The pressure to buy a centre forward. The pressure to buy a striker at a club who keep nearly winning the title is massive."

Arteta has recently defended Gyokeres, arguing that his teammates were not providing him with quality service. Following a tight win against Wolves, where the Swedish striker struggled, Arteta commented: "He was in a lot of really good positions.

"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."

In further defence of Gyokeres, Arteta added: "Before the injury, he was in a great place. It took him a while at the beginning because it's a different league with different demands. He had no pre-season and now he's starting to get some momentum, but the thing that's going to unlock him is goals."

Before the Wolves game, Arteta told football.london that he backed Gyokeres wholeheartedly. “I think the two things have to merge [playing adapting to club or the other way around]," he said. "I think we have to put the player in the best possible condition to explode and fulfil his potential. And there are certain things that within the role, in the manner that we play, has to be fulfilled.

“And that's a combination of both. And then it's not only that. I think more important is the connections and the players around him at the end.

“Those interactions, that understanding, how it develops. And before the injury, I think he was in a great place. I think it took him a while at the beginning because, as you said, it's a different league, different demands.

“He had no pre-season. And now he's starting to get, again, some momentum. And the goals will come, and we're going to be very pleased with him.”