Arteta 'loved' Gyokeres' Newcastle performance

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he "loved" the way Viktor Gyokeres performed against Newcastle and has backed the forward to score the goals the Gunners need.

Gyokeres looked to have won a penalty in the first half against the Magpies on Sunday after he was brought down by goalkeeper Nick Pope, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

The Sweden international did not find the back of the net in Arsenal's dramatic 2-1 win at St James' Park and had a tough afternoon battling against the physical Newcastle defenders. Nevertheless, Arteta was impressed by the resilience the striker showed.

"I loved it. I absolutely loved how he took it. He went on board and there wasn't a single moment where he showed frustration," the manager said.

"I told him that he was going to get some decisions and some not and he was going to have two or three players around him, but I loved his reaction a lot.

"The way he handled the situation emotionally and also because he was involved in a lot of dangerous moments. It's a pity he didn't score a goal because in my opinion he fully deserved it."

Arteta will be hoping Gyokeres can show those qualities again when they host Olympiacos in their second game of the Champions League campaign on Wednesday night.