Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared his thoughts on Viktor Gyokeres’ debut following the team’s narrow 0-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season friendly match held at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
Gyokeres, Arsenal’s recent attacking signing, made his first appearance in red and white, coming on as a substitute in the 77th minute. Despite limited time on the pitch, the Swedish striker showed promise, although he had minimal opportunity to influence the result. Spurs had already taken the lead in the first half through Pape Matar Sarr, a goal that ultimately decided the match.
Arteta expressed satisfaction with Gyokeres’ integration into the squad and maintained confidence in the potential of both Gyokeres and fellow new signing Cristhian Mosquera. According to the manager, their presence adds immediate value to the team in terms of energy and quality. Arteta also suggested that future appearances, including the upcoming match against Villarreal, will provide a better platform to assess Gyokeres’ impact.
Reflecting on the overall performance, Arteta acknowledged the short turnaround time and the challenges of adapting to travel and jet lag, especially during international tours. Despite the loss, he emphasized the importance of staying focused on the short-term goals, extracting lessons from the game, and building momentum for the season ahead.
The manager was upbeat about the squad’s current trajectory, noting that the team is further along in its pre-season development than he initially anticipated. While the defeat to Spurs was a disappointment, Arteta pointed out that it served as a valuable reminder of the fine margins between winning and losing at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Arsenal will host two final pre-season matches at the Emirates Stadium before beginning their Premier League campaign away at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday, August 17. Arteta highlighted the significance of using these remaining fixtures to fine-tune the squad and ensure they are mentally and physically prepared for the season opener.
Viktor Gyokeres, wearing the club’s iconic No.14 jersey, will be hoping to make a stronger impression in the upcoming fixtures as he aims to establish himself in the Arsenal attack.
