Arteta Compares Chaotic Man Utd Clash to Basketball After Gyokeres Struggles

Mikel Arteta defended Arsenal's record signing Viktor Gyokeres after the Swedish striker endured a challenging full debut during the Gunners' 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.

The £64 million summer arrival from Sporting CP was substituted in the 61st minute without registering a shot, as Leandro Trossard's first-half strike proved decisive. Arteta acknowledged the match's unorthodox flow, stating: "It became a basketball game – transitions going back and forth. That's not Viktor's preferred environment. We didn't create the sustained pressure needed to utilize his strengths."

The Arsenal manager emphasized collective responsibility for Gyokeres' quiet performance, adding: "When our attacking patterns break down, it's harder for any forward. We must improve our build-up play to serve him better."

Despite the early substitution, Arteta reaffirmed confidence in his marquee signing: "Viktor has shown incredible quality in training. These situations will help us understand how to maximize his impact in different game scenarios."