Ten games, three goals – assessing Gyokeres’ Arsenal start

Viktor Gyokeres, the club’s new striker, has had an impressive start to the season, winning eight of their first ten games.

The £64m signing has not scored in six games after scoring three goals in his first four, with West Ham’s manager Mikel Arteta praising him after he scored with a goal to 2-0 on Saturday.

More than Arteta had anticipated due to the 27-year-old’s knee injury, which has limited the manager’s ability to rotate him, and Gyokeres has played 90 minutes in six of Arsenal’s opening ten games.

Havertz is one of Arteta’s most reliable players, and it is argued that the German should have started in place of Gyokeres in the premier league matches against Newcastle United and Manchester United, the Gunners’ only defeat of the season, against Liverpool.

Additionally, Gyokeres missed team training at Sporting as he attempted to force his way to north London, and did not have a full pre-season before joining.

However, Gyokeres, who spent two seasons at Sporting for Sporting, signed for a win-now deal.

He was hired to help the team win their first trophy since 2020, not a problem because Arsenal are currently winning. However, he lacks goals.

Arteta praised Gyokeres’ efforts in the opening matches and applauded the striker for their work, which can go unnoticed whenever the chance arises.

He praised the forward’s “work-rate” and called his performance “exceptional” following Arsenal’s win over Olympiacos.

There was a perception that Gyokeres’ signing would make room for the numerous attacking players behind him, including Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Odegaard.

This season, Arsenal have altered their tactics and moved their ball between the lines more effectively.

Gyokeres, who does not look to start in midfield or link play like Havertz, is seen as having this ability because his main focus is on running between the two centre-backs and into the space behind them.

When watching Arsenal this season, it is obvious that the midfielders are searching for the ball that might give the striker a chance.

The Gunners’ new style is designed to hurt the opposition while playing quickly, despite the fact that they struggled to break down sides in a low block last year as they fell away in the title race.

Arsenal are also making more chances of crossing the ball more frequently.

The penalty kick was Saka’s only substitute goal in the Gyokeres’ 5-0 win over Leeds, which was the first of their three goals this season.

In an interview with ESPN Brazil, Arteta claimed Gyokeres is the best penalty taker at the club, but Saka took the spot-kick in the win over West Ham, suggesting the England winger might be the first choice to take them this season.

Saka, who made his 200th Premier League appearance for Arsenal on Saturday, has backed Gyokeres’ success.

After the game against West Ham, Saka commented, “I think Viktor is playing really, really well.”

“He’s going to score goals without a doubt. We are so appreciative of what he brings to this team, as well as to his team-mates, how he holds the ball, how he runs, and how he presents us with a threat.

Although it may not have been the easiest of Gyokeres’ beginnings, there are still indications that things will improve.

After a pre-season that was slowed, the striker resumed the campaign playing catch-up with his fitness.

Havertz’s injury has caused him to enter situations more quickly than he might have anticipated, and it has also highlighted his unsatisfactory relationships with his fellow midfielders.

The striker is a willing runner who constantly searches for space and tries to hold the ball when Arsenal need to move forward quickly.

Gyokeres is a tall player, just like the majority of Premier League centre-backs, and he will need to adapt if he wants to defeat them in physical fights.

His mentality and stubbornness are mentioned whenever questioned about Gyokeres.

That will help in the Premier League, especially given how high expectations surround his signing. When his deal was finalized and his number announced, this player’s shirt sales at Arsenal broke records.

His team-mates are clearly looking for it to click for him, with Martinelli looking to allow Gyokeres’ shot to go into the net before hitting the post and scoring it with a winger.

Gyokeres’ style of play may not be as eye-catching as some of the Premier League’s silky forwards, but there are indications that he can succeed.

He has all the resources to succeed thanks to Arsenal’s more direct play and a midfielder designed to maximize his chances.