David Raya has warned him weapon Mate said Sporting CP ahead Victor Giocres is a “top player in form” as Mikel Arteta urges his strikers to find their ruthless streak to keep their Champions League hopes on track.
Gyökeres has become one of Europe’s most successful forwards this season after scoring 24 goals in 17 games, attracting interest from the hosts. Premier League Including clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea And the Gunners.
Arsenal and Arsenal goalkeeper Raya, who host the game at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday, said of Gyökeres: “We know his qualities, how he runs a lot at the back and a lot in a v. one. scores and is the top player in form.
“We’re trying to keep him very quiet. Don’t give him a chance. We have to step up defensively. Hopefully we can do a good job and keep a clean sheet.”
Arteta refused to focus on Gyökeres in particular, choosing instead to focus on the collective threat of Sporting, who led Manchester City 4-4 in Ruben Amorim’s final Champions League match before becoming United boss. Defeated by 1.
Gyökeres scored a hat-trick that night and since joining Sporting from Coventry in 2022, he has scored 69 goals in 67 games in all competitions.
Asked how good the Sweden international is and how Arsenal can stop him, Arteta chose to focus on Sporting’s 19-game unbeaten run this season, including 17 victories.
“I would like to talk about the team, about the coaches and how extraordinary they have been,” Arteta said. “The run they’re on is unbelievable. It tells you it’s not just the quality, the set-up, the desire, it’s something about the energy of the team that they have. It’s a huge challenge. What we have tomorrow, to come here and make a statement and show that we can be ourselves against this type of opponent and win the game.”
Pushed further on Gyökeres, Arteta replied: “I understand the question, but they have a lot of individual qualities. That’s why they can win games in different ways. And yes, they have great players in certain positions. “
Arsenal have won just one of their last eight away games in Europe and have not scored in their last four, a run that ended in a 1-1 draw last December. PSV Eindhoven When the Gunners had already booked their place in the knockout round.
“Not all games are the same,” Arteta said. “Something that’s very true is that we have to improve those outcomes and we have to find ways to understand what’s missing. Sometimes it’s performance, sometimes it’s other aspects. That’s the next step.” We have to build as a team.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the most important thing but the performance we’ve shown in the box at this level with the chances that we’re usually able to create at Champions League level, to win. Not at the required level.
“I always say the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to earn the right to win, especially away from home.”
Sporting are second in the Champions League table, two points behind first-place Liverpool, while Arsenal are 12th with seven points after four matches.