Mikel Arteta Shares Honest Verdict on Viktor Gyokeres' Debut After Arsenal's Loss to Spurs

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has shared his honest opinion about Viktor Gyokeres’ performance, as his side lost 0-1 in a pre-season friendly against Tottenham Hotspur at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

Viktor Gyokeres was a late substitute, being entered in the match in the 77th minute, and there was not much he could have done to save Arsenal's chances.

Tottenham Hotspur scored in the 45th minute courtesy of Pape Matar Sarr, and Mikel Arteta hoped Viktor Gyokeres would make an impact but he had limited time to turn things around.

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However, Mikel Arteta remains optimistic about Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera's future in the club.

“Really happy, obviously, to have them here. I think they're going to have a lot of value. You see this right away, as well as the energy and the quality that they're going to bring,” Mikel Arteta said as per Arsenal.com.

“It was a short one, but at least that one is off now, and when they play against Villarreal now, I'm sure it will be a bit different.”

Mikel Arteta added that there was no long-term outlook, insisting that it is short-term and must happen at the moment.

He revealed that the focus was on what they had learned and taken from the game, which they had already discussed in the dressing room.

He added that recovery and preparation had already begun, emphasising the need to be ready for travel, adapt quickly to the jet lag, and approach the final week of preparation with focus, as two great home games awaited.

“I'm very positive, everything that I've seen in the last 10 days gives me a lot of encouragement, and we're ahead of what I was expecting in many areas. Even though tonight's result gives you a taste, I think that is going to be very positive as well,” Mikel Arteta added.

“To realise the margins that winning or not winning have to be controlled as well and again, we go again. We'll start on Monday again with two great games at the Emirates to finalise the preparation and be ready for Old Trafford.”

Arsenal will be kicking off their Premier League campaign against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17.