I't doesn't happen overnight' - Arteta praises Gyokeres

Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on striker Viktor Gyokeres after the forward has produced some of his best performances for Arsenal in recent weeks.

Gyokeres, scored twice in the 3-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, before putting in his best performance of the season in the win over Atletico Madrid in midweek as Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final.

And after receiving criticism throughout the season, Gyokeres has now scored 21 goals for the Gunners in all competitions.

The 27-year-old's ability to hold-up the ball had been questioned but in the win over Atletico, it was a key aspect of his performance as he dominated the backline.

"Some of the things you see, certain improvements from players probably the work has not been the day before or two days before, it has been done through months. It doesn't happen overnight," Arteta said when asked about the £64m signing's improvement.

"Viktor has been working extremely hard, the level of demands he puts on himself are incredibly high.

"He always wants to learn, he's always asking questions, he always wants to do extra things.

"He is always trying to find ways to find connections with his team-mates whether that is in the canteen, in the dressing room or on the pitch.

"At the end, when you have that kind of behaviour you get rewards."