Viktor Gyokeres has had a tricky first couple of months at Arsenal, with many supporters and outsiders questioning his ability.
The striker has just six goals in his first 19 matches for the North London club, but his performances have also been subpar.
👀 Start one, bench two and sell one…
Mikel Merino, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz…
Question marks have been raised over Gyokeres’ ability, and it now seems as though the Swede is quickly falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
However, his poor start to life in N5 might not be entirely his own fault, and Mikel Arteta might need to work on one key detail to get him firing again.
Arsenal players are unused to playing with someone like Viktor Gyokeres
Nicky Butt has suggested that Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles at Arsenal are down to the team not being used to playing with a proper centre forward.
Across the last few seasons, Arteta’s team have not played with an out-and-out number nine, and now they have one, the dynamic has changed.
The former Manchester United player believes that Gyokeres’ teammates are still trying to work out how to play around the 27-year-old.
When asked about the striker’s struggles, Butt told The Good, The Bad & The Football: “He’s gone into a team at Arsenal, they never had a forward, didn’t play the forward for a season.
What is Viktor Gyokeres’ biggest weakness right now? 😬
What must Mikel Arteta work on with the Swede in training?
“Now, it might not be Gyokeres’ fault this, it might be the rest of the players that are playing around him, not knowing where to play and where to go.
“It’s tough for somebody going into a team that’s never had a centre forward for a full season.”
The issue is, in football, time is rarely afforded to anyone, and Gyokeres will need to quickly adapt to his new surroundings or risk being dropped.
Gabriel Jesus is now back from injury, Mikel Merino has been in great form, and Kai Havertz is also due to return soon.
The competition for the number nine role at Arsenal is strong, and if the Swede cannot perform, one of the others will take his place.
Mikel Arteta comments on Viktor Gyokeres’ Arsenal struggles
Arteta has also suggested that Gyokeres’ struggles are down to systemic issues with the team.
The Spanish coach admitted Gyokeres was in a great place just before he suffered a hamstring injury, and he hopes his form can soon return.
Ahead of the 2-1 win over Wolves, Arteta said: “We have to put him in the best possible condition to explode and fulfil his potential.
“Before the injury, he was in a great place. It took him a while at the beginning because it’s a different league with different demands.”
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