Arsenal sent Viktor Gyokeres verdict as goal drought continues - 'it's mad'

Viktor Gyokeres hasn't scored in his last six Arsenal matches (Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Rio Ferdinand has shrugged off criticism of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as his goalless run continues. The former Manchester United defender suspects the Swede is happy with how his career has began in north London with the Gunners sitting top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side ended the second international break top of the Premier League after beating West Ham United 2-0 on Saturday. Their triumph, thanks to goals from Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, sent Arsenal to the summit for the first time this season and they will remain there until the top-flight resumes after Liverpool suffered their second straight league defeat.

Gyokeres , 27, featured throughout the London derby against the Hammers but only mustered one shot on target during a difficult afternoon for the forward.

His failure to find the back of the net extended his run without a goal, which now stands at six matches in all competitions.

The 27-year-old has three goals this season, all coming in the Premier League, as he continues in search of the red-hot form that earned him the tag as one of the most potent finishers in Europe.

His last effort came in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in mid-September and before that, his only goals came in the 5-0 thumping of Leeds in the second game of the season.

Despite his lack of output, Ferdinand believes he will still be happy as they sit top of the Premier League but admits there has yet to be any magic 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 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 netting three goals in 10 matches and none in his last six, Arteta has publicly stood by his talisman. “I just went there and hugged him and said thank you because the work that he does is unbelievable for the team," he said.

"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."