'You Have to Go Somewhere Else' – Mikel Arteta’s Bold Warning to Viktor Gyokeres and the Pressure of Wearing an Arsenal Shirt

Published: May 20, 2024 Sports • Premier League • Arsenal FC Arteta’s message is clear: At Arsenal, pressure isn’t just part of the game—it’s the foundation.

Six games without a goal. For most strikers, that’s a drought. For a £60 million summer signing at Arsenal, it’s a crisis in the making—or at least, that’s what the headlines want you to believe. But Mikel Arteta, ever the cool operator, isn’t hitting the panic button. Instead, he’s doing what he does best: turning up the heat with a single, loaded phrase:

“You have to go somewhere else.”

— Mikel Arteta, on Viktor Gyokeres’ struggle in front of goal

No, he’s not talking about a loan move to Fulham. He’s talking about mental resilience. About the relentless demand to find a way when the net feels like it’s shrinking. And in typical Arteta fashion, he’s framing it not as a problem, but as a test—one that separates Arsenal players from the rest.

So what’s really going on here? Is Gyokeres failing, or is this just another chapter in Arteta’s high-pressure playbook? Let’s break it down—because this isn’t just about one striker’s form. It’s about the Arsenal way under Arteta, where pressure isn’t the enemy… it’s the fuel.

The Six-Game Drought: Why It Feels Bigger Than It Is

First, the numbers:

• 6 matches without a goal for Gyokeres since his move from Sporting CP.
• £60 million price tag—Arsenal’s second-biggest signing after Declan Rice.
• 14 shots in those games, but only 3 on target. The finishes? Rushed. Forced. Frustrated.

For context, that’s the same length of drought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had in 2021 before his infamous “disciplinary breach.” Or the stretch that saw Alexandre Lacazette benched under Unai Emery. At Arsenal, six games without a goal isn’t just a slump—it’s a narrative. And narratives at big clubs? They spiral.

But here’s the twist: Arteta doesn’t care. Or at least, he’s not showing it. When asked about Gyokeres’ struggles, his response wasn’t reassurance or excuses. It was a challenge:

“He’s a player with huge talent, but talent alone doesn’t win you games here. You have to go somewhere else—mentally, physically. The demands are higher. The pressure? That’s why you’re here.”

Translation: Welcome to Arsenal, Viktor. Hope you packed your thick skin.

Arteta’s Pressure Paradox: Why He Wants His Players to Struggle

If you’ve followed Arteta’s Arsenal, you’ve seen this movie before:

• Bukayo Saka in 2020: Dropped after a poor run, then reborn as a world-beater.
• Granit Xhaka in 2022: Booed by fans, stripped of the captaincy… now a Serie A title winner (and missed dearly).
• Emile Smith Rowe: From “next big thing” to loaned out—because Arteta deemed him not hungry enough.

Arteta’s philosophy is simple: Pressure reveals character. He doesn’t shield players from criticism; he weapons it. Remember his “We lack courage” speech after the 2021 Europa League exit? Or calling out his team’s “softness” in a 3-0 loss to Brighton? He’s not here to coddle. He’s here to forge.

The Arteta Blueprint: How Pressure Becomes Performance

1. Step 1: Set Unreasonable Standards – “We don’t just want to compete; we want to dominate.”
2. Step 2: Expose Weaknesses Publicly – No private chats. Criticism is a team sport.
3. Step 3: Demand a Response – “Prove me wrong.” (See: Saliba’s redemption arc.)
4. Step 4: Repeat – Rinse and repeat until the squad is a machine.

Result? A team that doesn’t just handle pressure—it thrives on it.

So when Arteta tells Gyokeres to “go somewhere else,” he’s not threatening him. He’s daring him. Because at Arsenal right now, the only way out of a slump is through it.

Viktor Gyokeres: £60m Gamble or Arteta’s Next Project?

Let’s talk about the Swedish striker. At Sporting CP, he was a monster:

• 43 goals in 54 games last season.
• Primeira Liga’s Player of the Year.
• A physical, relentless forward who bullied defenders.

But the Premier League? That’s a different beast. Defenders here don’t just defend—they punish. And Gyokeres, for all his talent, looks like a player still figuring out the temperature of English football.

✅ What Gyokeres Does Well

• Hold-up play – Links play like a target man.
• Work rate – Presses like a demon (Arteta loves this).
• Big-game mentality – Scored in the Champions League for Sporting.

❌ The Premier League Problem

• Finishing – Snatching at chances (3/14 shots on target).
• Adaptation – Struggling with the pace of CBs like Van Dijk, Saliba.
• Confidence – The longer the drought, the heavier the shirt feels.

Here’s the kicker: Arteta knew this would happen. He doesn’t sign players based on form; he signs them based on potential to adapt. Look at Odegaard (struggled initially) or Martinelli (raw but moldable). Gyokeres fits the profile: high ceiling, but needs polishing under pressure.

Why This Isn’t Just About Gyokeres—It’s About Arsenal’s Identity

Arteta is building something specific at Arsenal: a team that doesn’t fold. Not when they’re 2-0 down to Aston Villa. Not when they’re outplayed by Bayern. And certainly not when a striker misses a sitter.

This is a club that, for years, was accused of being “soft.” Of having “no winners.” Arteta’s mission? To erase that reputation. And he’s doing it by:

1. Recruiting fighters – Rice, Saliba, Gabriel Jesus (pre-injury).
2. Demanding accountability – No hiding after mistakes.
3. Using pressure as a filter – If you can’t handle it, you won’t last.

Gyokeres’ drought isn’t a failure—it’s a test case. Can he handle the heat? Because if he can, he’ll be part of something special. If not? Well… Arteta’s already shown he’s not afraid to make tough calls.

Three Possible Outcomes for Gyokeres (and What They Mean for Arsenal)

🔥 Scenario 1: He Breaks the Drought—And Thrives

What happens: Gyokeres scores against Chelsea or Brighton, regains confidence, and finishes the season with 10+ goals.

Why it’s likely: He’s too good not to. Arteta’s “pressure” tactic often works (see: Saka, Martinelli).

Impact: Arsenal have their long-term striker. The “Wenger era” criticism fades.

⚖️ Scenario 2: The Struggle Continues—But He Adapts

What happens: Goals stay rare, but his hold-up play and pressing become vital. Think “poor man’s Haaland” but with more link-up.

Why it’s possible: Arteta values system over stats. See: Leandro Trossard (not a star, but crucial).

Impact: Fans grumble, but the team functions. A “success” in Arteta’s eyes.

❄️ Scenario 3: The Nicolas Pepe Path

What happens: Drought extends, confidence shatters, and by January, he’s on loan to Sevilla.

Why it’s unlikely (but not impossible): Arteta rarely gives up on players this fast—but he’s not sentimental.

Impact: A black mark on Arsenal’s recruitment. The “£60m flop” labels stick.

Place your bets. But remember: Arteta’s Arsenal doesn’t do “safe.” They do high-risk, high-reward.

What Should Arsenal Fans Really Be Worried About?

Here’s the truth: Gyokeres’ form isn’t the problem. The problem is what it represents:

• The striker curse – Since Henry, Arsenal have cycled through Walcott, Giroud, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah… none truly “world-class.”
• The title race – City and Liverpool don’t have this problem. Their strikers score.
• The Arteta paradox – His methods work… until they don’t. Ask Willian or Pépé.

But here’s the counterpoint: Arsenal are second in the league. They’re in the Champions League knockout stages. They’ve beaten Man City and Liverpool this season. Without Gyokeres firing.

So maybe the question isn’t “When will he score?” but “How good can this team be when he does?”

The Arteta Experiment: Pressure as the Ultimate Teacher

Mikel Arteta didn’t become one of the Premier League’s sharpest managers by coddling players. He did it by pushing them to the edge—and seeing who jumps, who falls, and who flies.

Viktor Gyokeres is at that edge right now. Six games without a goal. A manager telling him to “go somewhere else.” And a fanbase split between patience and panic. But if history tells us anything, it’s that Arteta’s pressure cooker produces results—just not always the ones we expect.

So will Gyokeres crumble? Or will he become the next Arsenal striker to rise from the fire? One thing’s for sure: at this club, under this manager, there’s no middle ground. You sink, you swim, or you go somewhere else.

🗣️ Your Turn: What’s Your Verdict on Gyokeres?

Is this just a rough patch, or should Arsenal be worried? Drop your take in the comments—and don’t hold back.

🔥 Hungry for more Arsenal insight? Check out:

• ➡️ “How Arteta Transformed Arsenal’s Mentality in 3 Seasons”
• ➡️ “The £60m Question: Arsenal’s Hit-and-Miss Striker Signings”
• ➡️ “Why Premier League Strikers Struggle in Their First Season”

📢 Share this with a fellow Gooner who’s “concerned” about Gyokeres. Misery loves company.

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