Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners started the game very well and were the better side for large parts of the first half. They were dominant in the final third but just missed the final ball.
In the second half, Liverpool overloaded their midfield, and that proved to be too much for Arsenal to handle. The Reds were far better in the second period.
Arsenal and Liverpool fans will both debate who the better team was overall, but what both sets of supporters will agree is that Viktor Gyokeres was not good enough.
Arsenal’s most disappointing performer against Liverpool was ________
Explain your answer!
Gary Neville says Viktor Gyokeres didn’t contribute anything for Arsenal against Liverpool
Gyokeres started for Arsenal against Liverpool on Thursday night.
The Swede has had a mixed season at the Emirates. He has worked tirelessly throughout the campaign, fought for every ball and made space for his teammates.
However, his movement inside the box has been shocking from the very first game, and there have been no signs of improvement.
Against Liverpool, Gyokeres could’ve got himself on the end of multiple crosses in the first half, but his movement in the box let him and Arsenal down again.
Gary Neville, who has played with some great strikers over the years, watched Gyokeres live on Thursday night, and he was not impressed.
He said on his podcast on Sky Sports: “We’ve become used to centre-forwards not getting involved in the game as much and not contributing as much in general play, but what they have to be is in the right position inside the box.
“They have to be making those runs across the goalkeeper and near post. They have to make sure that they are charging in and sliding in the six-yard box when that ball is fired across. He didn’t do that.
“That’s the bit that I’m disappointed with him in. If you’re not doing that, you have to do the other bit, which is the ugly bit, which is pressing and harassing and holding the ball up.
“I don’t think he contributed anything really to the game as a centre-forward for Arsenal, Gyokeres.”
If you could go back in time and sign another striker for Arsenal instead of Viktor Gyokeres, who would it be and why?
Viktor Gyokeres could be in trouble at Arsenal
An argument can be made that Arsenal are not creating enough chances for Gyokeres, but he isn’t helping himself either.
The Sweden international just loves going to the far post instead of making aggressive runs in the opposite direction. It happens multiple times every game, which is really annoying.
We don’t like agreeing with Neville, but he is absolutely spot on – Gyokeres offered nothing against Liverpool all game.
With Gabriel Jesus back and Kai Havertz about to return, the former Sporting CP man’s spot in the side could be in real trouble.
If Mikel Arteta drops Gyokeres, he cannot have any complaints.
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