Arsenal have identified Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres as a potential signing ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners’ primary objective in the summer is to acquire a marquee striker, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both sidelined with serious injuries.
The likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko have been mooted as options, but Gyokeres is seen by Arsenal as a viable alternative to the Newcastle and RB Leipzig stars.
Sporting are reportedly willing to sell Gyokeres for around £60 million, a minimal fee that makes him an extremely appealing proposition to the North Londoners, who have a lot of other work to do regarding incomings.
With that said, here’s a look at a few ways Arsenal could line up with the Swede.
Viktor Gyokeres could be Arsenal’s solo striker
The most likely way Arsenal would set-up with Gyokeres is deploying him as a central striker in Mikel Arteta’s positional 4-3-3 shape.
This system would involve the 26-year-old leading the line in a front three with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli (or a new signing).
The Sporting star would have to take the onus of providing the team with a focal point, with the two advanced eights supporting him with late runs into the box.
He’d also be tasked with leading the press alongside Martin Odegaard in this system.
Viktor Gyokeres could partner Kai Havertz up front
Kai Havertz is expected to return close to the start of next season, and there may still be a regular role for him at the Emirates, even if Gyokeres arrives in N5.
While not many teams opt for a 4-4-2, a formation change to this old-school set-up could be the latest tactical innovation to Arteta’s bow.
Havertz alongside Gyokeres could be a deadly partnership, with Havertz exceptional in the air and Gyokeres superb at stretching defences with his movement.
Both players are capable of dropping deeper and forming a midfield three with Declan Rice and Odegaard, although one of the two full-backs inverting should negate Arsenal’s numerical disadvantage in midfield with this set-up.
Mikel Arteta could use Viktor Gyokeres as a winger
Probably a less likely role for Gyokeres, but it’s possible that he features out wide for Arsenal from time to time.
Both Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are linked with moves away, and both players have struggled for their best form this season.
This could prompt Arteta to experiment with Gyokeres out wide, and he certainly has some attributes that could make him accustomed to a role on the wing.
Ranking in the 96th percentile for progressive carries and the 83rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 in the Champions League this season (via FBRef), the Sweden international is comfortable driving with the ball in tight spaces.
His rip-roaring pace could also be useful in exploiting the space that teams often leave in wide areas.
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