Micah Richards has one big concern about Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal after watching ‘loads’ of footage

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Viktor Gyokeres has arrived in North London as Arsenal’s marquee signing this summer and will be looking to hit the ground running when the Premier League kicks off in two weeks.

After months of pursuing the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins, Andrea Berta finally decided to advance in a deal for the Swede in early July.

Arsenal unveiled the signing of Gyokeres just over a week ago, after eventually reaching an agreement with Sporting CP, with the transfer believed to be worth in the region of £63 million.

Gyokeres made his debut for the Gunners against Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday, and could be set for his first start in a red and white shirt against Villarreal at the Emirates this week.

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Micah Richards thinks Viktor Gyokeres struggles to hold the ball up

Netting 97 goals in 102 games across the last two seasons for Sporting, Gyokeres arrives with an exceptional goalscoring pedigree.

While there are concerns about how these numbers may translate to the Premier League, few can doubt the 27-year-old’s ability to finish or come alive inside the box.

These instinctive aspects of his game aren’t in question, although there are other attributes that he may lack.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, former Manchester City defender and now pundit Micah Richards expressed some concern about how capable Gyokeres is at holding the ball up.

“But in terms of Gyokeres, I think he’s a very good signing,” Richards said.

“I still think there are question marks whether he can do it at this level consistently, because I’ve watched a load of videos on him and I think he’s really good in terms of his movement. He’s a really clever striker and he can run in behind.

“I don’t think people should be expecting him to be holding the ball really well. There’s times in games I’ve watched the ball’s gone up to him and it’s coming back off him and then he’ll score two goals and everyone says, he’s been absolutely amazing.”

Arsenal are preparing to change their style of play with Viktor Gyokeres

While Richards may be somewhat exaggerating Gyokeres’ hold-up deficiencies, the player certainly isn’t an expert at this facet of the game.

Not a focal point like Kai Havertz is, the former Coventry City man wants to play on the last line of the opposition’s defence, and constantly looks to make runs in behind.

However, this shouldn’t be a concern, as Arsenal are reportedly prepared to play to Gyokeres’ strengths.

Mikel Arteta has recognised that moving from Havertz to the Sweden international will necessitate a stylistic change.

The Spaniard has supposedly already started implementing new tactics in training, fine-tuning his system so that it can accommodate Gyokeres, and maximise his best attributes.

Instead of playing to the striker’s feet, the Arsenal midfielders and wide players will be instructed to try and find him in behind, playing more directly and vertically.