Arsenal summer time signing Viktor Gyokeres has impressed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in a deal which might rise to £64 million, however solely in sure Premier League video games.
Mikel Arteta’s lengthy look forward to a prolific striker was dropped at an finish by sporting director Andrea Berta within the Italian’s first window on the Emirates, and supporters eagerly awaited the Swede’s debut while anticipating huge issues.
Gyokeres bagged an unbelievable 97 targets in 102 appearances for Sporting earlier than his swap to north London – spearheading the Primeira Liga champions to a home double final season – and Arteta is hoping his new quantity 9 can replicate these heroics on British shores.
Regardless of Arteta’s fondness for Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal tried to signal in the summertime of 2024 and in January, Berta reportedly swayed Arsenal chiefs into shifting for Gyokeres as a substitute (The Athletic).
Arsenal’s summer time signings
Price ticket
Kepa Arrizabalaga
£5m
Martin Zubimendi
£60m
Christian Norgaard
£15m
Noni Madueke
£52m
Cristhian Mosquera
£13m
Viktor Gyokeres
£55m
Eberechi Eze
£67.5m
Piero Hincapie
Mortgage
To this point, the indicators have been pretty promising, however some criticism has surrounded Gyokeres’ lacklustre link-up play in comparison with the likes of Liverpool star Alexander Isak, who was additionally as soon as a “dream” goal for Arteta.
Sky Sports activities pundit Gary Neville additionally believes that Gyokeres will not be a big-game participant for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old failing to make an affect in opposition to each Man United and Liverpool this season.
“He is a misfit, he is a misfit for that group of gamers within the sense that he is not kind of technically superb, however I really like that kind of distinction. That concept of getting this battering ram who’s a little bit bit kind of ungainly, and he is kind of, I believe he’ll beat up small groups,” Neville stated on Sky final weekend,
“Whether or not he’ll do it within the huge video games and rating within the huge video games, not as positive, I believe that the perfect defenders would possibly deal with him, and we’ll see, however I believe he’ll beat up smaller groups for Arsenal, you understand, that is not a nasty factor.”
His targets to this point have are available in a 5-0 win over Leeds United, and most just lately, the Gunners’ 3-0 dispatching of Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest final Saturday.
Troy Deeney suggestions Arsenal to exchange Viktor Gyokeres with Kai Havertz
As soon as £280,000-per-week star Kai Havertz is again from harm, talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney is satisfied that Arteta will bench Gyokeres for the large video games in favour of their versatile German.
“He did not do something in opposition to Liverpool, however they’re the video games they introduced him in for,” Deeney stated.
“Even when you do not rating, you are a nuisance, you are a menace, you make different folks say, ‘Proper, we have to cope with you’, which opens up area for [Bukayo] Saka, Eze, [Noni] Madueke, whoever it’s.
“I simply assume in these moments, it is the place he will fall brief and I believe in these larger video games, when everyone seems to be in control, Havertz will play in these video games, I actually do.”
Soccer is commonly reactionary at the perfect of occasions, and we consider that Gyokeres merely wants extra time to settle in Europe’s best division.
Viktor Gyokeres to ship on huge stage for Arsenal in time
The striker’s lack of affect in opposition to Man United and Liverpool is a priority, however that would merely be put right down to Gyokeres discovering his ft at brand-new membership amid loads of strain to ship.
At Sporting CP final season, the Swede produced 54 targets and 13 assists throughout competitions, thriving beneath the strain of title races and European nights. His document exhibits he doesn’t simply rating in opposition to weaker opposition, both.
Gyokeres often delivered targets or assists in decisive matches, together with in opposition to Porto and Benfica, the place his work charge, energy, and talent to steer the road stood out.
His six targets in eight Champions League video games for Sporting final season, together with a surprising hat-trick in opposition to Man Metropolis, additionally work wonders to spotlight that Gyokeres can certainly ship on the most important events.
