Viktor Gyokeres goal drought addressed as Arsenal given verdict on striker

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Rio Ferdinand has brushed off criticism of Arsenal's striker Viktor Gyokeres as his goal drought continues. The ex-Manchester United defender reckons the Swedish player is content with how his career has kicked off in north London, with the Gunners currently leading the Premier League .

Mikel Arteta's squad concluded the second international break at the top of the Premier League after a 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Saturday. Their win, courtesy of goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka , propelled Arsenal to the pinnacle for the first time this season, where they will stay until the top-flight resumes following Liverpool's consecutive league losses.

Gyokeres, aged 27, played throughout the London derby against the Hammers but only managed one shot on target during a challenging afternoon for the forward.

His inability to score extended his goalless streak to six matches across all competitions.

The 27-year-old has netted three times this season, all in the Premier League, as he continues his quest for the scorching form that earned him recognition as one of Europe's deadliest finishers.

His most recent goal was in the 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest in mid-September, and prior to that, his only goals were in the 5-0 drubbing of Leeds in the season's second match.

Despite his limited contribution, Ferdinand believes he'll still be pleased as they sit atop the Premier League, but concedes there's been no magic yet from the former Sporting man.

"He's doing alright," he said on his Rio Presents podcast. "You're top of the league, everything's rosy when you're top of the league.

"People don't get questioned much, when Liverpool were top of the league and hadn't lost a game, was anyone questioning Liverpool?".

"They lost a couple of games and everyone's saying they're on their knees and might be out of the title race - it's mad. He's doing alright, he's not pulling up trees or creating magic but he's in a team that's top of the league so I'm sure he's happy."

Despite only scoring three goals in 10 matches and none in his last six, Arteta has publicly supported his star player. "I just went there and hugged him and said thank you because the work that he does is unbelievable for the team," he expressed.

"The way he stretches the back four and the spaces he opens. I mean, today, how he hasn't scored a goal, I don't know."

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