Viktor Gyokeres: Is Arsenal's Struggles a Matter of Adaptation or Misuse?
Image source: Getty Images
By
Football Tactics Correspondent
Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting in the summer, bringing with him a reputation as Europe's most prolific goalscorer, having scored an impressive 54 goals in 52 games last season. However, the transition to Arsenal's playing style has been challenging, raising questions about his performance in the Premier League.
At the midpoint of the season, the 27-year-old has scored five league goals, including two penalties. This decline in his goal-scoring prowess has sparked discussions about whether Arsenal's tactics are not suited to his strengths or if his performance in Portugal was an anomaly.
The Key to Gyokeres' Success at Sporting
At Sporting, Gyokeres thrived in a system that favored long passes to the lone striker, allowing him to utilize his quick darting movements and runs in behind from wide positions. His ability to strike the ball with power from these positions was a significant factor in his success.
How Arsenal Can Optimize Gyokeres' Performance
To maximize Gyokeres' potential, Arsenal needs to adapt their playing style to suit his strengths. He excels when he can hang on the last line of defense, often from wider positions, and his power and accuracy with his right foot are key assets. Mikel Arteta's team should aim to create more opportunities for Gyokeres to run in behind and shoot across the goal, especially with his slightly weaker left foot.
The Challenge of Premier League Defenses
However, Premier League defenses are well-organized and athletic, making it difficult for Gyokeres to create space and time to take his shots. This is a stark contrast to his experience at Sporting, where he had more freedom and space to operate.
The Role of Teammates and Tactical Adjustments
To address this, Arsenal could consider pairing Gyokeres with a teammate like Kai Havertz, who is skilled at occupying center-backs and linking play. This would create space at the edge of the box, where Gyokeres' shooting is most effective. A comparison can be drawn to the successful partnership between Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez at Inter Milan.
Beyond the Goals: Gyokeres' Impact on Arsenal
Despite the goal-scoring drought, Gyokeres has still contributed significantly to Arsenal's success. His pressing has led to errors from opponents in dangerous areas, and his selfless off-the-ball running has created space for his teammates to score. However, he and the team are eager to see more goals.
The Pressure to Perform
Adi Viveash, a former assistant manager at Gyokeres' former club, Coventry City, revealed that Gyokeres would become frustrated if he went three or four games without a goal. Assigning him as Arsenal's penalty-taker and highlighting his contributions in build-up play could help alleviate this frustration. However, Arsenal must find a way to unlock the full potential of their £64 million striker if they are to win their first title since 2003.
