Viktor Gyokeres is set to make his competitive debut for Arsenal against Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.
Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting CP for £63 million earlier this summer, acquired to compete with Kai Havertz for a starting place in Mikel Arteta’s team.
After struggling on his first start in pre-season against Villarreal, the Swede scored an excellent header against Athletic Club at the Emirates last time out.
This strike, combined with his all-round encouraging display, will give the prolific number nine the confidence to exploit what is expected to be a weak United back-line on Sunday.
Adrian Clarke says Viktor Gyokeres can exploit Leny Yoro in Manchester United vs Arsenal
Gyokeres is expected to start against the Red Devils, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli likely to be deployed alongside him in Arsenal’s front three.
The former Coventry City man will be up against three centre-backs, with Ruben Amorim likely to select Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw from the beginning.
Yoro, who signed for United for £59 million last summer, only turns 20 in December and has looked somewhat vulnerable in the Premier League thus far.
Former Arsenal player and now pundit Adrian Clarke believes Gyokeres can get joy against the young Frenchman on Sunday at the Theatre of Dreams.
“Victor Gyokeres for me has the game to unsettle a back three,” he said on his YouTube channel.
“Look at him spinning in behind Leny Yoro down our left, Manchester United’s right, at times. What Yoro will want to do, he’ll want to sort of squeeze in and get tight and be aggressive where possible.
“So hopefully Gyokeres can spin him either with or without the ball with the ball at his feet.
“He can roll him or we can maybe play him in into that gap between himself and Amad down that side because Amad will want to get forward here.
“So, I do think that Gyokeres, whether we play a possession game, whether we’re on the counter, I think his penetrative runs can really cause Manchester United problems.”
Bukayo Saka’s battle against Luke Shaw will be crucial
On the other side, Saka will most likely be up against Shaw and left-wing-back Patrick Dorgu.
As much as Gyokeres has the ability to unlock United’s low block with his smart movement in the left channel, Saka is the man who can win the game for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s talisman has historically performed excellently against Shaw, exposing the left-back’s inability to deal with agile and elusive forwards.
With Dorgu focused on pushing up the pitch and supporting the United attack, the Gunners should look to find Saka as quickly as possible on the right, leaving him isolated one-on-one with Shaw.
This individual battle could prove to be the difference for the Gunners on the day.
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