There were plenty of questions surrounding whether Arsenal’s move for Viktor Gyokeres would work this season.
The Gunners needed a striker over the summer, following seasons in which a clinical forward could’ve made all the difference.
While there were plenty of options available, Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting CP, as they looked to take that next step.
There were question marks over the Swedish international, which do remain in some ways, as he still settles into life in the Premier League.
The early days for Gyokeres have been marked by some bizarre criticism from certain quarters of the media, but one statistic is proving plenty of pundits wrong about the new Arsenal man.
Viktor Gyokeres’ shot conversion is proving plenty wrong after Arsenal transfer
Arsenal needed goals, and it appears Gyokeres is going to provide just that.
The early weeks have been something of an awkward fit stylistically, as both the team and player adjust to one another.
It has elicited some unusual criticism, such as Paul Scholes claiming the forward plays like he is wearing jeans.
However, Gyokeres has made them look a bit foolish with his early goals in the Premier League.
The striker already has three to his name, despite taking only seven shots so far in his Arsenal career.
That’s a shot conversion rate of roughly 42%, a very impressive rate that shows he doesn’t always need the ball, just an opportunity to take his chances.
If he can continue to build on that tally, then the criticism will likely stop, as focus shifts towards his ability in the box.
The main concern still surrounds whether Gyokeres can do it against tougher opposition, having scored against Leeds and Nottingham Forest so far.
However, that fixes one other issue that Arsenal have had under Mikel Arteta in recent seasons.
Clinical Viktor Gyokeres can fix Arsenal’s problems against the lower sides
Arsenal’s record against the “big six” in the Premier League has actually been relatively good in recent seasons.
Arteta has found a way to keep it tight in these top encounters, usually nicking a goal at important moments to take all the points.
The main problem has instead come from the number of draws, particularly at home, against the lower opposition.
The Gunners found it particularly tough to break down low blocks and couldn’t always find a way to unlock them.
That’s where a clinical player like Gyokeres could make all the difference.
Questions have been raised about the striker’s record in Portugal, as he struggled against the top teams but flattened the weaker sides.
That’s a quality that could certainly help Arsenal, rather than hinder them, and it’s already paying off.
With Gyokeres scoring against Leeds and Nottingham Forest, it’s a good start to life for him, easing some of that early pressure.
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