Arteta delivers Gyokeres verdict as Havertz absence explained | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says that Viktor Gyokeres showed “a lot of purpose” in his first start for Arsenal, but admitted the striker still needs to improve his fitness levels ahead of the new season.

The Gunners fell to a 3-2 defeat to Villareal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening as their new £63.5 million signing failed to find the net.

Gyokeres suffered from a lack of good service from his teammates, taking only two shots all game, including one clear sight at goal.

Arteta delivers verdict on first Arsenal start for Gyokeres

Asked if it will take time for the Sweden international to gel with the Arsenal attack, Arteta responded: “We already broke that line today, because I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team.

“He’s been with us only a week or so, but I already saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking in certain spaces.

“So, in general, for a lot of players that haven’t played many minutes, we have a lot now that they’re going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.”

He continued: “His fitness level, I think he hasn’t trained really with the team for two months, so he’s done now six or five sessions, I think, before today. So, I think on Saturday, again, I think he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.”

Arteta added: “He is so willing, and so confident as well, that he can deliver it straight away, and I have no doubt that we will be in a really good place.”

Meanwhile, Kai Havertz was omitted from the matchday squad after the German playmaker felt something in training on Tuesday, but Arteta thinks he will be fit in time for their final pre-season friendly against Athletic Club de Bilbao this weekend.

“Yesterday in training, he felt something and this morning he wasn’t quite right, so we decided to rest him,” the Arsenal boss said.

“I think it’s going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit.”

Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard also missed the Villarreal game, but Arteta said “both of them have a chance” to feature against Athletic.

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