Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has moved to reassure fans about the fitness of new star striker Viktor Gyökeres, stating he is “100%” confident the Swede will be fully ready for their crucial Premier League season opener against Manchester United on August 17.
This declaration of confidence comes after Gyökeres has had a quiet start to his Arsenal career in pre-season, failing to score in his first 77 minutes of action across defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal.
Arteta explained that the striker’s lack of sharpness is completely understandable and expected. To help force through his transfer from Sporting CP, Gyökeres refused to train with the Portuguese club for a significant period towards the end of his time there. “His fitness level, he hasn’t trained with a team for two months,” Arteta revealed to the media. “I think he is on five sessions before [Wednesday].”
Despite this lack of collective training, the manager has zero doubts about his new signing’s mentality or ability to be ready for the trip to Old Trafford. “I think mentally, and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100% or more,” the manager insisted. “He is so willing and so confident he can deliver straight away, I have no doubts he will be in a really good place.”
The manager sees clear progress in the striker every day. He noted that Gyökeres is now “building connections” with his new teammates in training, which will be crucial in helping him find the positions he needs to score goals.
Gyökeres is expected to take “another step” towards full match fitness in Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Athletic Club this coming Saturday.
While the goals haven’t flowed yet for the new £63.5 million man, Mikel Arteta’s message is one of calm and complete confidence. The club is carefully managing his return to full fitness and fully expects him to be firing on all cylinders for the season’s vital opening game.