Mikel Arteta says Arsenal's 1-0 win over Manchester United was like a "basketball game" and that did not play into Viktor Gyokeres' strengths.
Arsenal beat Man Utd 1-0Gyokeres struggles in winArteta defends summer signingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Although Arsenal claimed all three points against United at Old Trafford on Sunday, summer recruit Gyokeres struggled. In the ex-Brighton man's 60-minute outing, he created no chances, posted no shots, had three touches in the Red Devils' box, and won just three of his 13 combined ground and aerial duels. Despite that, Gunners manager Arteta has defended the Swede – who thrives when the game is stretched and he receives balls over the top.
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He told reporters: "I think there are seven, eight situations when the ball is completely open to play through and we are in and attacking the keeper. We give the ball away and then it becomes a basketball game."
On Gyokeres specifically, the Spaniard added: "Well he did a lot of things very good. You can tell especially in our high press and rhythm that we demand, that especially in the first half we were giving a bit too much time. It is something that we have to work on him, especially there. Then in the final action situation, he did not have that many chances to do that, because in the previous action, we had to play that last ball and the last was standing still with 40 metres to play. We did not manage to put the ball through to exploit his quality. But overall, coming away to Man United, winning your first game with Arsenal, is a good start."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Arsenal fans have been crying out for the club to sign a top striker and after splashing out £64 million ($86m) on Sporting CP star Gyokeres this summer, many believe they can finally win their first Premier League title since 2004. But if they are to do that, there needs to be a symbiotic relationship between the 27-year-old and his Gunners team-mates to get the best out of him. It is very early days but this display against United may concern some supporters.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?
Arsenal will hope the former Coventry City star can find his goalscoring touch when they host newly promoted Leeds United next Saturday in their second Premier League encounter. Until then, Arteta will, no doubt, be working his players hard in training to get the best out of Gyokeres.
