Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal are finally on the “right track” to unleash Victor Gyoqueres’ full potential.
The Sweden international had a slow start after joining the Premier League leaders from Sporting Lisbon last summer, but has now scored eight goals in all competitions since the start of 2026 and has already scored more goals than any Arsenal player last season with 10 in the league this season.
Arteta played down the 27-year-old’s form to positive momentum but suggested more could come from Gyoceres, who scored twice in Sunday’s north London derby.
“I think one thing leads to another,” Arteta said. “If you score the first goal or have a good performance, you get to spend more time with your team-mates, you get a better understanding of the game, the opposition and the league. It all helps.
We know his (Gyokeres) qualities. He is undoubtedly an amazing striker. We need to improve his quality, we need to understand him better, he needs to understand the team and the league better.
“We know his qualities. He is an incredible striker, no doubt about it. We need to improve his qualities, we need to understand him better, he needs to understand the team and the league better. I think we are on the right track.”
Asked if Gyocerres had struggled with confidence, Arteta responded: “It’s a question for him. Obviously, I know the demands he puts on himself and the expectations he has to help the team and I have confidence in our defenders because a lot of times when they have to train against our players, they ask, ‘How do you feel when you face him?’ And (they) say, ‘It’s a nightmare.’
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At The Football Show, we assess whether Viktor Gyokeres’ improved recent form can help Arsenal achieve their first Premier League title in 22 years.
“It’s a really good way to understand a player’s quality or how to defend him.”
Arsenal will look to further extend their lead at the top of the league when they take on Chelsea on Sunday. Arsenal are looking to further extend their lead at the top of the league thanks to a comprehensive win over struggling Spurs to leave them five points clear of Manchester City ahead of the game.
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Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth recalled Mikel Arteta’s press conference ahead of the Arsenal-Chelsea match.
Chelsea have drawn three and lost five in their last eight Premier League games against Arsenal, but Arteta said the statistics “do not change the preparation”.
He added: “It doesn’t matter what we did two weeks ago or two years ago, because every game and situation is different. The players may change, the atmosphere in the team may be different, the situation at stake may be different. We are ready.”
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Arteta is keenly aware that Premier League title remains just around the corner after finishing as runners-up for three consecutive seasons.
“When it ends like this, I just want to be first, that’s all,” he added. “That’s the goal: always be better, always try to exceed the team’s potential.”
Watch Arsenal v Chelsea live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event from 4pm on Sunday, kick-off at 4.30pm.
