Arsenal maintained its position at the top of the Premier League standings after a narrow victory, yet the spotlight remains firmly on striker Viktor Gyökeres and his persistent goal drought, drawing a public defense from manager Mikel Arteta.
The Swedish international has now gone nine consecutive games without finding the net, a run that is increasingly becoming a topic of discussion among English media outlets.
Arteta emphasized Gyökeres’s commitment to the team despite the lack of goals.
“We were all begging for him to score,” Arteta told reporters after the match. “The effort he dedicates to the team is phenomenal. We seek to give him support and affection, and the goal will eventually come.”
Arsenal secured a 1-0 win over Fulham, with Leandro Trossard scoring the decisive goal. The victory ensures Arsenal’s continued hold on the league’s top spot.
Arteta also praised his team’s maturity and persistence in a challenging away fixture. He noted the team’s improved ability to win tough games.
“Recent history was not favorable to us and we wanted to change that,” Arteta said, citing previous wins against Newcastle and West Ham as examples. “This is another step to acquire that mentality and ability to win these types of games against high-quality opponents, on very complicated fields.”
The coach described the victory as deserved. He highlighted the team’s ability to find a solution, specifically through a set piece, when the game remained goalless.