MIKEL ARTETA CLAIMS VIKTOR GYOKERES HAS FINALLY HIT "THE HIGHEST LEVEL"
Viktor Gyokeres’ late double pushed Arsenal nine points clear at the top as Mikel Arteta hails the striker’s confidence and form.
Mikel Arteta says Viktor Gyokeres has hit “the highest level” after his two late goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Sunderland.
Martin Zubimendi got Arsenal going with a great opener in the first half at the Emirates. Then, just six minutes after coming off the bench, Gyokeres scored his first. He added another in stoppage time, wrapping up a win that pushes Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Gyokeres has taken some heat during his first season in north London. Still, after this brace, he’s scored four goals in his last four games and six in his last eight.
Arteta didn’t hold back: “Confidence is the magic word. When you’re confident, when you feel important, when you’re at your best, that’s when you can really play at the top level.
“We’re right behind him, every step of the way, supporting him. He’s delivering now, and he’s in a great place.
“Wearing this shirt comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations. You have to live with that.
“On this journey, you’ll have good spells and tough ones too.
“With Viktor, it’s tough to read his emotions—he just looks you right in the eye. He doesn’t show much, whether things are going well or not. He’s always pushing himself, always trying to get better.
“I love his attitude—the way he approaches each day, stays focused on what he needs to do, and really wants to help the team, no matter what role he plays.”
Arsenal are now in a strong spot to win their first league title since 2004, with 39 points still up for grabs in the last 13 games.
Manchester City have to beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday just to cut Arsenal’s lead back to six points.
But when someone asked Arteta what this latest victory means for the title chase, he just shrugged it off. “Nothing. We still have so many games to win to get what we want.
“Tonight, I’ll have a nice dinner. Tomorrow, I start thinking about Brentford—because that won’t be easy.
“And while I’m at it, I’ll be watching a huge game between Liverpool and City.”
Sunderland have surprised a lot of people this season, but this was their third loss in four matches.
Their manager, Regis Le Bris, said, “Right after halftime we had chances to get back in it, but we didn’t take them—and when you don’t do that against a team like Arsenal, one of the best in England and Europe, the game slips away.”
WHAT IS THE "AURA" MIKEL ARTETA SEES IN BUKAYO SAKA’S RECENT PERFORMANCES?
"He shifts momentum." Read Mikel Arteta’s full analysis of Bukayo Saka’s importance ahead of the crucial West Ham showdown.
Mikel Arteta sees something special in Bukayo Saka’s presence on the pitch, an “aura” that he believes could drive Arsenal toward a Premier League title, just three games away from ending a 22-year wait.
During Saka’s recent absence with an Achilles injury, Arsenal managed only a single win in five matches. His return, however, seemed to breathe new life into the squad. Saka set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opener before scoring himself in a solid 3-0 victory over Fulham last weekend.
More crucially, Saka netted the decisive goal that helped Arsenal secure a 2-1 aggregate win over Atlético Madrid, booking their first Champions League final appearance since 2006.
Since making his debut for the Gunners seven years ago, the England international now carries the hopes of pushing Arsenal for vital points, starting with a key clash against relegation-threatened West Ham at the London Stadium, followed by matches against Burnley at home and Crystal Palace away on the season’s final day.
When asked about Saka’s importance, Arteta highlighted the growing role he plays not just within the team but also in how opponents see him. There’s a clear presence, a certain quality that sets him apart. According to Arteta, Saka can shift a game’s momentum at any time, and instilling that kind of respect or even fear in the opposition is invaluable.
Arteta also touched on managing Saka’s comeback after injury, emphasising the idea of channelling fresh energy and motivation into his performance rather than rushing him back too soon. He described it as a privilege to have a player like Saka, someone who embodies core values and principles, both on and off the pitch. Beyond the football, there’s a human connection that makes working with him rewarding. What Saka showed, especially in the recent Champions League semifinal, was nothing short of remarkable.
Alongside Saka, Declan Rice has also become a pivotal figure since his £100 million move from West Ham last year. Now 27, Rice will make his 59th appearance of the season when Arsenal faces his former club on Sunday. His impact has been significant, earning him runner-up in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award behind Bruno Fernandes.
Arteta praised Rice as a key leader and a major force for the team, underlining the powerful role he plays as Arsenal chase success this season.
WHY DID JURRIEN TIMBER’S "SIMPLE" INJURY TURN INTO A SEASON-ENDING MEDICAL MYSTERY?
After reaching the Champions League final, Arsenal face a fitness race for key stars ahead of their clash with West Ham.
Mikel Arteta has admitted that both Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber are running out of time to get fit before the season ends – a tough setback for Arsenal right now.
Both have been out for weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries. The hope was always that they’d be back for the final stretch, giving Arsenal a boost when it matters most. This week, Merino at least made it back onto the training pitch, but Arteta has confirmed neither he nor Timber will be involved in Sunday’s big match against West Ham.
Arteta said he has no new injury problems elsewhere, but for Merino or Timber to play before the end of the season, their recoveries would have to be almost perfect. Timber’s situation in particular has turned out to be more complicated than they first thought.
“That’s probably been the hardest part for everyone. For me, for the player,” Arteta said. “We really didn’t think it would take this long, and he’s still not ready.”
Meanwhile, things are going well for Arsenal on the pitch. They’ve pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they just beat Atletico Madrid, booking a spot in their first Champions League final in two decades.
There’s still a twist, though. Manchester City play Brentford first this weekend, and they still have a game in hand. Even so, if Arsenal win their last three matches, the title is theirs.
Next up is West Ham, who are fighting to avoid relegation and could easily trip Arsenal up. Arteta knows his team can’t afford any slip-ups. “After the Atletico win, I was completely caught up in the emotion. You could feel what it meant to everyone fans and the staff. But straight after, my focus went to West Ham,” he said.
“We talked as a team about how we’ve earned the chance to be in the final, and we have time to get ready, but right now, all our focus and all the details need to go into West Ham.”
