Viktor Gyokeres is struggling to find the net at the minute but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is backing his striker to rediscover his goalscoring form
Viktor Gyokeres’ goalscoring drought continued as Sweden lost 2-0 to Switzerland in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
The Arsenal striker started in Stockholm alongside Liverpool frontman Alexander Isak but the pair could not inspire their country to get a result. It means Sweden are bottom of Group B after three games played having drawn one and lost two of their World Cup qualifying games so far.
Gyokeres played the full game against Switzerland and was given a rating of 6.6 by FotMob. According to the statistics, the 27-year-old had two shots, completed 13 of his 16 attempted passes, created two chances for his teammates and had two touches in the opposition box. With an xG (expected goals) of 0.08, it was clearly another frustrating night for the Swede.
In comparison, Isak was given a rating of 6.7 and had just the one shot, which hit the woodwork. The former Newcastle man completed 12 of his 16 passes, created one chance and had four touches in the opposition box.
It was actually former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka who opened the scoring in the 65th minute for Switzerland. Johan Manzambi then came off the bench for the away side to make it 2-0 in stoppage time.
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP in the summer in a deal worth £64million, has not scored since the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on September 13. The frontman has now gone seven games in all competitions for club and country without getting on the scoresheet.
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Mikel Arteta is not worried, however, and has been impressed with the summer signing’s performances. Speaking after the 1-0 win at Newcastle, Arteta said on Gyokeres: “I loved it. I absolutely loved how he took it.
“He went on board, not a single moment when he’s showing frustration. I told him you’re going to get some decisions, some others not. Stand up, you’re going to have two or three players around you in many moments, the ball is in the air and a lot is going to happen.
“But I loved his reaction, I loved the way he handled the situation emotionally and as well because he was involved in a lot of dangerous moments that he created. He was very much involved in them. It’s a pity that he didn’t score a goal at the end because in my opinion he fully deserved it.”
Gyokeres will hope he can find some form when Sweden play Kosovo on Sunday evening. He will then travel back to London ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash at Fulham on Saturday.
