Viktor Gyokeres failed to take a shot vs Man City, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta knows why

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Despite playing the entire 90 minutes against Manchester City, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres failed to take a shot on goal.

Throughout the match, Mikel Arteta was chopping and changing his attack, but the Swedish striker was a constant in the middle for Arsenal.

And whilst Erling Haaland netted early on for Man City in the opposing goal, Viktor Gyokeres never looked like scoring, even if Arsenal were pumping the ball into the box.

All in all, Gyokeres has made a positive start at Arsenal – the former Sporting CP striker has scored three goals in six games.

And although Thierry Henry has his Gyokeres doubts, it’s clear that the 27-year-old can offer Arteta a new dynamic, providing that he does adjust his plans.

Mikel Arteta wants his Arsenal team to do more for Viktor Gyokeres

That being said, Arteta was asked about Gyokeres’ performance following full-time at the Emirates on Sunday.

And when speaking in his press conference after the match, Arteta was keen to point out that his side needs to give the Swedish striker better service.

It was somewhat alarming that Arteta seemed to suggest that Gyokeres needed ‘very big open chances’ to score, but he was still hoping for his Arsenal team to provide just that.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola gives his honest Arsenal verdict after watching Erling Haaland’s goal for Man City

Arteta said: “Well there were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that he was very, very close to doing against City.

“To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he’s certainly trying his best and trying to do that and we have to provide more for him, that’s it.

“There were a lot of situations where the chances were there and then the final pass was missing today. In many moments it was very, very open.”

Viktor Gyokeres’ numbers against Manchester City

As mentioned, Gyokeres wasn’t able to take a shot on Man City’s goal in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw, even if he was offering some clever runs behind the visitors’ packed back line.

Arsenal’s midfielders are still adjusting to playing with Gyokeres – it’s still not too often that they are able to utilise the Swede’s pace over the top.

But Gyokeres’ numbers against City don’t necessarily make for good reading, a striker who wasn’t really able to get into the game.

Perhaps a test away to Newcastle United next weekend will better suit Gyokeres’ skill-set – Arsenal will often be playing on the break and his pace could be crucial.

And if Mikel Merino is intended to perhaps lead the line against Port Vale in the EFL Cup in midweek, then Gyokeres should be raring to go come the weekend.