Arsenal legend responds after Viktor Gyokeres left ‘alone’ by unsupportive team-mates

Viktor Gyokeres failed to net on his Arsenal debut but the new striker has been defended by former Gunner Emmanuel Petit, who felt he didn’t get the support he needed

Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit claims that Viktor Gyokeres did not receive the necessary support on his debut against Manchester United last weekend as he fired a blank.

The Swede led the line for the Gunners as they secured a win on the opening weekend at Old Trafford, but he failed to find a goal on his first start. His hefty £64million price tag will hang over him following Arsenal’s sizeable investment in their new No 9.

But whilst Gyokeres struggled to create himself a chance in Manchester, Petit insists he did not get the service he needed whilst he was also isolated in the final third with the north Londoners not enforcing their usual high press.

The Frenchman was surprised to see them drop so deep, which allowed the hosts to dominate much of the contest. United had more than 20 shots and had the lion’s share of possession, but couldn’t find an equaliser. Yet questions were still asked of Gyokeres.

Petit told RacingTipster: “He didn’t receive much service from his team-mates this weekend,” he said. “He was quite alone, he didn’t get any support from his teammates. I was quite surprised sometimes how Arsenal dropped back defensively. They used to show high pressure all the time to the opponent; it doesn’t matter if you play at home or away from home.”

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Gyokeres arrived in London having scored 97 times in two years with Sporting Lisbon. However he still needs to prove himself given the mixed success of players who move to the Premier League from Portugal.

The Swede has also never cut it in England’s top flight previously with his breakout year coming when he was in the Championship with Coventry City, before Sporting signed him. Petit though has urged patience and said: “Well, this is only the first game, guys, come on. Give Viktor Gyokeres time.”

Gyokeres next chance to land his first Arsenal goal will come when they host Leeds on Saturday evening with Mikel Arteta backing his frontman. “He’s very, very enthusiastic. He trained really well this week, again. He’s had another week under his belt, he looks in a really good place,” said Arteta.

The Arsenal boss also revealed why he cut short Gyokeres’ debut last week: “Every game brings different challenges, opportunities. I think the game was very demanding physically, became really open for different reasons, and we decided that at that moment, he needed to come off.”

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