Mikel Arteta has issued a clear challenge to his Arsenal strikers, demanding a return of more than 20 Premier League goals from a single player this season. The manager's call comes as his current top scorer, Viktor Gyökeres, endures a frustrating spell without a goal from open play since November.
The Search for a Prolific Scorer
Despite leading the Premier League table, Arsenal face a curious statistical anomaly. No player has surpassed the 20-goal mark in the league for the club since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted 22 times in the 2019-20 season. Gyökeres, the club's joint-top scorer with Leandro Trossard on just five goals, last scored from open play in the 2-0 win at Burnley at the start of November.
Arteta was questioned on whether the lack of a single, dominant goalscorer was a concern, especially with a pivotal match against Liverpool on the horizon. "We want the goals to be spread and our strikers to score over 20 goals," Arteta stated. "That’s the idea." The Gunners could set an unwanted record if they win the title, as the lowest top scorer for a champion is currently tied at 13 goals, set by Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Manchester City's Ilkay Gündogan.
Competition for Places Intensifies
The pressure on Gyökeres is mounting with increased competition for the starting role. Kai Havertz, last season's leading league scorer with nine, is nearing a return from a knee injury. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus is pushing hard for a recall to the starting eleven.
However, Arteta dismissed the notion that this internal competition is the key to unlocking Gyökeres' best form. "I don’t think it’s related," he said. "We’re not going to change Viktor’s desire or his attitude... because he’s got another player in [competition]. Sometimes there’s an element of luck to score goals as well... And it will come." The manager emphasised his faith in the Swedish international's work rate and underlying performances.
Legacy and the Point to Prove
While Arsenal's current points and goals tally at this stage of the season surpasses that of the legendary Invincibles side of 2003-04, Arteta was quick to deflect comparisons. That team, spearheaded by Thierry Henry's 30-goal Golden Boot campaign, left an indelible legacy of consistent winning and major trophies.
"They won consistently and created a history and a legacy. We have to do that," Arteta admitted. "In the last two or three years we’ve had stats and more points and more goals and a history. At the end we have to translate that to major trophies." He insisted his squad must now raise their standards even higher, starting with the upcoming fixture. "Every week we have a point to prove," he concluded, setting the tone for the title run-in.
