Arsenal head to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday in a crucial Premier League clash.
The Gunners will be looking to win at the storied old ground for the first time since 2012, when they beat a Brendan Rodgers side 2-0, courtesy of goals from Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski.
Mikel Arteta’s team thrashed Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates in their last outing, meaning they travel to the north-west with six points from their first two matches.
Liverpool have also claimed maximum points thus far, setting the encounter on Merseyside up to be an intense spectacle.
Steve Nicol says Viktor Gyokeres was poorly treated after Man United display
Both Arsenal and Liverpool are surprised by how early in the season this game has been scheduled, with both teams feeling it’s not the optimum time to play a match of this magnitude due to fitness reasons.
The Gunners have a number of players who haven’t reached their peak physical condition after the off-season, including new striker Viktor Gyokeres.
Gyokeres struggled on his Arsenal debut against United at Old Trafford, managing no shots and creating no chances for his teammates.
However, he responded to this underwhelming performance with an improved showing against Leeds, scoring twice against the Yorkshire outfit as he looked significantly fitter and sharper.
Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol believes the criticism the Swede faced after the United clash was harsh, describing the treatment of the player as ‘atrocious’.
“The stick that Gyokeres was getting after the first game. I mean, what?” Nicol said on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel.
“Seriously, he was given absolutely no service by the rest of his team in the Man United game and people were getting on him. I mean, come on. Seriously, I couldn’t believe how hard people were on him and I was actually, don’t get me wrong, I’m no Arsenal fan, right?
“But I was I was glad because of the stick he got against United that he scored. You know, the goal he took is what he’s good at. He did it himself. It was just a ball played in behind into the space wide, and he’s taken it and gone past two defenders and put it home and then he smashed his penalty away.
“So, I was actually I was actually glad for him to be honest because I just thought the stick he got after the first game was atrocious.”
Viktor Gyokeres can exploit Liverpool’s vulnerable defence
Gyokeres has an opportunity to respond to his critics with a big performance against Liverpool.
The Reds’ aggressive style of play might actually cater to the 27-year-old, who thrives when he has space to exploit in behind.
Arne Slot’s team will push their full-backs high up the pitch, vacating the channels, which will provide Gyokeres with space to run into.
He’s excellent at peeling into wide areas and driving inside, and Liverpool are vulnerable in transition, meaning he can make use of his powerful running and ability to hit teams on the counter.
It’s set up for Gyokeres to steal the headlines and put to bed some narratives that are circulating about him.
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