Mikel Arteta has insisted that Arsenal are doing all they can with Viktor Gyokeres to ‘help him as much as possible’ after a goalless start to the season which has seen his future come into question.

Gyokeres was a big money signing for Arsenal in 2025 and he finished his debut season as the club’s top scorer, however he has yet to open his account this year in six appearances across all competitions.

The 28-year-old put in another underwhelming display in the midweek Champions League win over Lille, where he had just 12 touches in 65 minutes and failed to register a shot but Arteta leapt to his underfire striker’s defence ahead of Sunday’s match against Nottingham Forest.

"That's a very personal question,” Arteta said when asked if Gyokeres was lacking confidence. “What he transmits is an incredible will and determination and work rate to improve and help the team. That's Viktor every single day regardless of his position, whether he scored a goal or not. And that's why he's always an option to play."

He added: “These are moments in a player's career, or in a season I would say. We are trying to help him as much as possible. The other day, he had some very good moments. He was three or four times in front of goal with no keeper, the ball should arrive to him and it doesn't and maybe you are talking about something else.

"But these are the strikers. It is very small margins. Scoring or not scoring changes the narrative, for sure not the perception how much he can help the team."

Viktor Gyokeres: Arsenal open to Alvarez swap deal for out-of-form striker

Despite a positive first season at the Emirates, Gyokeres was a candidate to be replaced in the summer with Arsenal had they pulled off a deal to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal had discussed sending Gyokeres to Atletico if they were able to convince Alvarez to join them, however the Argentine international snubbed a move as he was prioritising a switch to Barcelona instead.

The Gunners have not given up hope of signing Alvarez and they could return for him in January, with Gyokeres still a player of interest for Atletico, while Noni Madueke’s name also reportedly was mentioned in talks.

Madueke has also been linked with a move away after struggling to make an impact to start the season, although he netted an assist against Lille and Arteta believes Arsenal are close to seeing the best version of the winger.

Arteta said: "[Madueke] will have more minutes in the next few games. I am sure that we will start to see a closer version of Noni at the highest level."