The way Viktor Gyokeres is being spoken about, many would think that he’s not even taken a shot for Arsenal yet.
The reality is that the striker has scored six goals in his first 19 appearances for Arsenal while combating injury woes and adapting to life in the Premier League.
Arsenal signed Gyokeres for instant results, but perhaps some have taken it too literally, as whenever the Swede doesn’t score, the Gunners are questioned over their transfer decision.
Sure, Gyokeres hasn’t blown Arsenal fans away with his output, but he’s trying, though that’s not a valid measurement for success in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland has set a damning benchmark for Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres offers Arsenal something new; whether he scores or not, his quality has been seen.
The issue that the striker has is one of adaptation and competition, but not from within his squad.
For any centre-forward arriving at a club challenging for the Premier League title, the competition is Erling Haaland.
Change my mind: Viktor Gyokeres will become Arsenal’s answer to Erling Haaland.
Arsenal should be scared of Haaland, who has set the bar for other strikers in the English top-flight, a bar that no one can get close to right now.
The problem that no one speaks about is the impact of Haaland on others, as while his success is measured in goals, he lacks in other areas, but that’s okay.
It’s like Mohamed Salah and his defensive contribution, or lack of, other wingers would be slammed for not tracking back, but because he’s so good, it’s not a problem.
So, for Gyokeres, taking the time to adapt to a new league on top of combating injury, the only measurement of his effectiveness at Arsenal is goals, because of what’s happening in the Gunners’ title rivals’ squad with Haaland.
If Gyokeres were scoring more, there’d be no talk of the other flaws that are being identified about him, which is exactly what happens with Haaland.
Dean Ashton suggests Viktor Gyokeres does more than Erling Haaland
It’s not just the opinion of some Arsenal fans, but also of others watching in.
Former Premier League striker Dean Ashton was speaking on the matter on talkSPORT, where he suggested that Haaland does very little for Man City, but earns the headlines with goals.
“We don’t criticise Haaland anymore because he scores the goals,” Ashton began.
“Haaland didn’t barely touch the ball, it was his first attempt on goal, and he scored, and at the end of the game, everyone would go, ‘Haaland’s been incredible’. He’s not been involved; he’s the most patient forward I’ve ever seen in my whole life.”
Will Viktor Gyokeres turn it around like Thierry Henry did? If not, why?
While Ashton made it clear that Haaland’s patience while waiting for chances is ‘incredible’, he then mentioned Gyokeres and was prompted to defend the Arsenal striker.
“At least, I actually think, Gyokeres does offer quite a bit when he’s not scoring, because he will continue to run, he will continue to chase, he will continue to try and pull people around, I think he’s what Arsenal do need.
“He’s just come back from an injury, by the way, we’re not miracle workers, we can’t just burst back in from an injury and be scoring hat-tricks every week. I just think, as a number nine, everywhere, so many of them are struggling because of the way the game has gone.”
Ashton’s comments should be welcomed, as it’s crucial to consider perspectives before branding a player a failure.
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