The arrival of Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal could make life more difficult for three of Mikel Arteta’s current players.
Viktor Gyokeres could be on his way to Arsenal this summer.
It is no secret that Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a new striker. Arsenal are now pushing for Gyokeres, who is thought to be available for £85 million.
The Swedish forward would represent an exciting arrival at the Emirates Stadium. After all, the 26-year-old was in sensational form last season. In 50 appearances for Sporting, across all competitions, the attacker racked up 43 goals and 15 assists.
Of course, the standard in the Premier League is higher than that of the Portuguese top flight, and Gyokeres would need to be given time to adapt. However, he has experienced English football before, albeit at Championship level, and has all the attributes required to be a hit at Arsenal.
However, his arrival at the Emirates Stadium would not necessarily represent good news for everyone.
Three Arsenal players who could struggle if Viktor Gyokeres signs
Gabriel Jesus
The man with the most to lose if Gyokeres signs for Arsenal is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker already slipped down the pecking order last season, and could immediately become the third choice pick to lead the line if the Sporting star is added to Arteta’s options.
Jesus has convinced Arteta he can still contribute for Arsenal, and is confident that he has put his injury woes behind him. However, he will need game time to prove his worth, and may struggle for opportunities if Gyokeres signs.
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz has earned the right to start the new campaign as Arsenal’s starting striker, having impressed in the role in the second half of last season. However, it is fair to say that the German is not the most prolific of forwards, and if Gyokeres can translate his goalscoring form from Portugal to North London then he will quickly become the main man.
This may not immediately mean that Havertz would drop to the bench. After all, the plan for him when he first came to the club was to play in the middle of the park. Arteta has hinted that Havertz may still play in midfield for Arsenal in future.
However, this certainly isn’t his best role, or where he has looked most comfortable for the Gunners. Gyokeres could still force the former Chelsea man into this deeper role, though.
Declan Rice
After Havertz was shifted up front last season, Declan Rice also moved up the pitch. The England star impressed in this more advanced midfield role, and proved that he can have an impact in the final third.
However, if Havertz is forced deeper, then Rice surely will be as well in turn. Whilst he is arguably at his best at the base of the midfield, protecting the back four, the former West Ham man may well miss the attacking license he was afforded before in this scenario.
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