Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres Faces Challenges Despite Strong Start to Season
Arsenal has made a strong start to the season, securing victories in eight of their first ten matches. However, new striker Viktor Gyokeres has encountered some difficulties.
After netting three goals in his initial four appearances, the £64 million signing has gone six matches without finding the back of the net. Following Arsenal's 2-0 win against West Ham, manager Mikel Arteta expressed his support for the Swedish forward by giving him a hug for his efforts.
Gyokeres has played the full 90 minutes in six of Arsenal's opening ten matches, exceeding Arteta's expectations due to a knee injury sustained by Kai Havertz, which has limited the manager's ability to rotate the 27-year-old striker.
Havertz, a key player for Arteta, would likely have started in crucial away games against Liverpool—Arsenal's only defeat this season—Newcastle United, and Manchester United, which Arsenal won. Additionally, Gyokeres missed a full pre-season with Sporting CP as he pushed for a transfer to north London.
Despite the challenges, Gyokeres is seen as a crucial signing, having scored 97 goals in 102 appearances during his two seasons at Sporting. While his lack of goals isn't a concern at the moment given Arsenal's winning streak, he was brought in to help the team secure its first trophy since 2020.
Arteta has acknowledged Gyokeres' contributions in the opening matches, praising his hard work that often goes unnoticed. After the win against Olympiacos, he described the forward's performance as "exceptional" and highlighted his "work-rate".
When Arsenal signed Gyokeres, it was believed that his presence would create more space for the attacking talent behind him, including Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli. While there have been glimpses of this potential, Gyokeres himself will undoubtedly seek to improve upon his goal tally, having scored in just two of his first ten matches: a brace in the 5-0 victory over Leeds in August and one goal in a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in mid-September.
Performance Analysis
Arsenal has adapted its playing style this season to facilitate quicker ball movement and a more direct approach. This shift aims to maximize Gyokeres' strengths, as he tends to make runs behind the opposing defense rather than dropping back to link play like Havertz. Observations from this season indicate that Arsenal's midfielders are actively seeking opportunities to release Gyokeres for scoring chances.
Gyokeres has had 23 chances so far, but only seven of those have been on target, with one coming from the penalty spot. This reflects a need for improvement in converting opportunities into goals.
Last season, Arsenal struggled against teams employing a low defensive block, which hindered their title challenge. The new tactical approach aims to exploit opposition defenses more effectively while maintaining a quick tempo. The team has also increased its crossing frequency to create more scoring opportunities. Notably, one of Gyokeres' three goals this season came from a penalty, although it was taken after Saka had been substituted during the Leeds match. Arteta has remarked that Gyokeres is the club's best penalty taker, yet Saka took the penalty in the recent match against West Ham, suggesting he may be the first choice for spot-kicks this season.
Saka, who marked his 200th Premier League appearance for Arsenal in the victory over West Ham, expressed his confidence in Gyokeres, stating, "I think Viktor's playing really, really well. There's no doubt he's going to score goals. What he's bringing to this team, we as his teammates are so grateful for his ability to hold the ball and make runs. He's a significant part of our success in these matches. His goals will come, and we believe in him. He remains positive and gives his best every game."
Prospects for Improvement
While Gyokeres has faced challenges at the start of the season, there are indications that his performance could improve. The striker began the campaign at a disadvantage in terms of fitness due to a disrupted pre-season. Havertz's injury has thrust him into situations sooner than anticipated, revealing the need for better synergy with the midfielders supporting him.
Gyokeres is known for his willingness to run and create space, as well as his ability to hold up the ball during quick transitions. Although he is an imposing figure, he will need to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League, where most center-backs are equally strong. His mentality and determination are often highlighted as key attributes, which will be essential as he navigates the high expectations surrounding his signing, especially after record-breaking shirt sales upon his arrival.
There is a clear desire among his teammates for him to succeed, as demonstrated by Martinelli's attempt to let Gyokeres' shot go in against Olympiacos before it hit the post, leading to a tap-in. While Gyokeres' style may not be as aesthetically pleasing as some of the league's more glamorous forwards, there are signs that he can be effective within Arsenal's more direct approach. With the right support and strategy in place, he possesses the tools necessary to thrive—now the question remains: will he be able to utilize them effectively?