Liam Duckstein
Gyokeres’ Slow Start at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres arrived at Arsenal from Sporting last summer as one of Europe’s most feared strikers, fresh off a staggering 54-goal campaign in 52 games. Yet halfway through his debut Premier League season, the Sweden international has managed just five league goals—two of them penalties. The question looms: Is Gyokeres failing to adapt, or is Arsenal’s system stifling his strengths?
How Gyokeres Thrived at Sporting
At Sporting, Gyokeres was the focal point of a direct, transition-heavy attack. The Portuguese champions didn’t always pin teams back, but they excelled in quick, vertical play—launching long passes to Gyokeres as soon as they regained possession. His game flourished in three key ways:
- Quick darting movements toward the ball
- Running in behind from wide positions, especially the right
- Rolling defenders when the ball was played into his feet
Gyokeres loved lurking on the last line of defense, often drifting into wider areas before exploding into space. His right-foot striking—powerful even from tight angles—was a hallmark of his Sporting success. When defenses crowded the box, he adjusted, holding his run to receive the ball on the edge of the area, buying himself time to unleash shots.
Of his 54 goals last season, 20 came from penalties, and some were tap-ins from cutbacks. But most arrived when he had room to run, time to settle, and space to strike.
Arsenal’s System: A Mismatch?
Arsenal’s approach couldn’t be more different. Mikel Arteta’s side builds methodically, relying on ground passing and positional rotations to break down low blocks. Premier League defenses, compact and athletic, leave little space behind—exactly where Gyokeres thrives.
Instead of sprinting onto through-balls, he’s often battling in a congested box, trying to finish crosses. Former England striker Gary Lineker critiqued his movement on The Rest Is Football podcast:
“Like most strikers, he waits to see where the ball is going and then attacks the space, but that’s what defenders do. As a striker, you’ve got to gamble on where you think the ball might go and go just as it’s about to be crossed. That way, you steal a march on the defender. I don’t see that too often from Gyokeres at present.”
Arsenal have attempted 68 through-balls this season—more than any other Premier League team—suggesting a deliberate effort to feed Gyokeres. But Premier League defenders recover too quickly, forcing him to recycle possession rather than shoot.
Potential Solutions
One fix? Pairing Gyokeres with a Kai Havertz-type partner—a striker who can occupy center-backs and link play. This would free Gyokeres to attack space, much like Lautaro Martínez does alongside Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan.
Gyokeres isn’t without contributions. His pressing has forced errors, and his off-ball runs have dragged defenders out of position, creating space for teammates. But Arsenal—and Gyokeres—need more goals.
Adi Viveash, his former assistant manager at Coventry City, told Sky Sports: “[Viktor] would get frustrated if he went three or four games without a goal.”
Making him Arsenal’s penalty-taker and highlighting his build-up play might ease the pressure. Yet if Arsenal are to end their 21-year title drought, they’ll need to unlock Gyokeres’ full potential—fast.