Viktor Gyokeres continues to divide opinion among Arsenal fans, and that grew stronger after his performance for Arsenal against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Gunners were not at their best at the Amex, but they still managed to come away with all three points thanks to Bukayo Saka’s goal.
Several Arsenal players struggled, but none more so than Gyokeres. The Swede had a really poor evening up top, and when he was on the pitch, the North Londoners struggled to control the game.
Kai Havertz replaced Gyokeres just before the hour mark, and Arsenal fans have spotted how the Gunners seemed much more in control after the German came on.
Was this Viktor Gyokeres’ worst performance in an Arsenal shirt?
Arsenal fans compare the difference between Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz after Brighton clash
Arsenal supporters are convinced that Kai Havertz is significantly better than Viktor Gyokeres, and his performance off the bench proved that against Brighton.
Here’s how a few fans reacted to their two strikers after the win at the Amex.
One tweeted: “That’s the difference between Kai Havertz and Gyokeres! He’s a smart technical player, and Gyokeres, most times, is just strength, in a league that’s built on strength!! It won’t work most of the time.
“Gyokeres kept repeating the same thing, and it was clearly not working!! He played straight into what Brighton wanted. Kai did the opposite. He knew when to be physical and when to be smart. Kai came into the game, and Arsenal’s pressing became better.”
Another wrote: “Gyokeres lost all of his duels today. Havertz came on and won 5/8. This doesn’t account for all the duels Gyok ducks out of that he should be contesting. I can’t watch this man anymore.”
“Gyokeres could not hold the ball up in the first half, and we really needed it against Brighton, given how they pressed us. Havertz was really needed and made such a difference when he came on,” said another.
Another Gooner posted: “We looked so much better when Havertz came on, and we created three opportunities in that time and pretty much nullified Brighton too. Gyokeres is so poor, he’s a massive reason why we play badly because he can’t bring us up the pitch.”
“When Gyokeres was on, we had no control. When Havertz was on, they created nothing,” tweeted another.
Change my mind, Kai Havertz’s return can win Arsenal the league.
Arsenal need to keep Kai Havertz fit until the end of the season
Gyokeres didn’t have the kind of return to Brighton that he would’ve dreamt of, and he will be the first one to admit that he was below par.
Havertz didn’t blow the Seagulls away either, but the German offered some control that his side lacked before he came on, and that made it easier for them to hang on to their lead.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will need that sort of control in tight games going forward, which is why keeping Havertz fit must be the priority.
The former Chelsea man has had a torrid campaign with injuries this season. Many feel the title race would’ve been over by now if he were consistently available.
The Arsenal medical staff need to find a way to keep Havertz fit and healthy until the end of the campaign. If they do, the Gunners’ chances of winning everything will increase significantly.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
