Ian Wright reveals private message he sent Viktor Gyokeres after frustrating Arsenal debut

Ian Wright sent a private message to Viktor Gyokeres following his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Manchester United.

Gyokeres led the line against Man United in his first appearance for Arsenal in the Premier League.

But he endured a tough outing at Old Trafford, with his statistics from the fixture making for interesting reading.

Gyokeres drew criticism from fans and critics alike following his drab performance as he took to social media to issue a defiant message.

Ahead of Arsenal resuming their league campaign on Saturday against Leeds United, Wright has reached out to the Swede.

And the Gunners legend has revealed his message to Gyokeres.

He told the 27-year-old that he is 'mirroring' him and urged him to keep the 'faith'.

"I’ve got a dialogue with every player in that Arsenal dressing room. I’ve already sent my messages to Viktor Gyokeres," he said as quoted by X account @afcstuff. "I said, 'You’re mirroring me, so all you have to do now is continue to have the faith in yourself that got you through the hard times'."

Viktor Gyokeres in action for Arsenal against Manchester United. Image: Getty

Wright added: "You doubt yourself because all of a sudden you’re playing with [Bukayo] Saka, with [Martin] Odegaard, arguably the two best centre-backs in the world, with [Declan] Rice, [Martin] Zubimendi - your level has gone somewhere else.

"I saw that when I went into the Arsenal dressing room [after I signed], I saw the levels. All I wanted to do was prove the work I had done brought me there and then it was up to me."

What did Mikel Arteta say about Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal debut?

Gyokeres started Arsenal's Premier League opener but was withdrawn in the second-half, having not made much of an impression in the attacking third.

Viktor Gyokeres was replaced in the second-half. Image: Getty

But Arteta praised his forward and highlighted his high pressing.

"He did a lot of things very good. You can tell, especially in our high pressing, the rhythm that we demand, especially in the first half, we're giving a bit too much time. It's something that we have to work on, especially there," he explained.

"And then in the finalising situation, he didn't have that many chances to do that because, as I said, on the previous action before we had to play that last ball that the line was standing still with 40 metres behind, we managed to put the ball through to exploit his quality. But overall, coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, it's a good start."