Bukayo Saka has praised Viktor Gyokeres’ start to life in north London but says his Arsenal teammates need to continue to adapt to the striker’s style of play.
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP in the summer in a deal worth €63.5million (£54.8m; $74.2m) plus €10m in add-ons, has scored five goals in 13 games for his new side.
The 27-year-old’s brace against Atletico Madrid last week ended a goal drought that lasted nine games for club and country, but Saka has praised the Sweden international’s integration into the Arsenal team.
Saka, 24, told Sky Sports: “Viktor is playing really well. He has settled in well with the group. Last season, we didn’t play with a striker like him. Kai (Havertz) is a different player from him.
“It is about us having to adapt to his game a bit and create a few more chances. He’s getting more and more settled each game.”
Saka also praised the impact Eberechi Eze has made at Arsenal since he joined the club last summer from Crystal Palace in a deal worth an initial fee of £60m plus a potential £7.5m in add-ons.
Being deployed on the left wing and in attacking midfield, the 27-year-old has scored two goals and provided three assists in 11 games, scoring the winning goal during the 1-0 victory over his former side at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Eze has scored two goals and three assists in 11 games for Arsenal. (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“He’s fitted in like a glove,” Saka said of fellow England international Eze. “He’s happy, he’s playing, and he’s playing very well. I’m happy to have him at Arsenal. He is a player who wants to be here and loves the club. He’s going to give everything for this club, and that is what you need.”
Arsenal are four points clear at the top of the Premier League, six clear of Manchester City, and seven clear of reigning champions Liverpool.
While Saka diffused title talk, saying that it is the team’s position towards the end of the season that really matters, he did touch on a potential advantage this season’s squad may have compared to previous title challenges that fell short at the final hurdle.
“Where we have (previously) fallen short with injuries, fatigue towards the end of the season. This year, with our depth, that shouldn’t be a problem for us,” he said.
“Of course it (winning the Premier League this season with Arsenal and the World Cup with England next summer) is doable,” he added. “I believe it is possible. It definitely won’t be easy, but it is something that is on my mind.”
Arsenal are next in action against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup at the Emirates on Wednesday before facing Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
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