Graham Potter praises Viktor Gyökeres’s mentality despite limited Arsenal playing time
Sweden manager Graham Potter praised Viktor Gyökeres’s mentality and performances for Arsenal this season, despite his limited involvement with the team. The striker started only once in the club’s first ten Premier League matches, but scored and assisted in Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Slavia Prague in the Champions League.
Potter said the number of minutes Gyökeres plays for Arsenal does not change his assessment of what he brings to the Sweden national team, explaining that he is careful in managing the player’s readiness when he joins the squad. He added that Gyökeres is a professional, is in good shape and loves playing for Sweden.
Gyökeres has scored ten goals in 11 matches under Potter and also found the net in all four of Sweden’s matches during the previous international break. His goals have put the team in a strong position in its Nations League group, with a chance to secure promotion by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina on Saturday.
Gyökeres was named player of the match against Slavia Prague, but the text noted that he did not start the following weekend’s match against Hull City. Mikel Arteta praised his performance, pointing to his goal, assist and connection with the team’s play. The striker has scored two goals and provided three assists in his last six appearances in all competitions, while remaining behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order, with more opportunities anticipated as matches come thick and fast. He was Arsenal’s top scorer last season with 21 goals in all competitions, after joining from Sporting Lisbon.