Viktor Gyokeres really needs to find his shooting boots at Arsenal, and this week might present him with the opportunity to do so.
There’s a lot of discussion about Arsenal’s summer signing, particularly regarding Mikel Arteta’s stance on the squad.
Arteta sees Kai Havertz as his preferred number nine, which makes the decision to spend £64m on Gyokeres all the more peculiar.
Still, Arsenal needed a striker and hired one of the best in the business, but the Gunners really need to see more from the Swede.
Crucial week ahead for Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres must be questioning his current position at Arsenal, as following his injury, he’s spent the previous two games on the bench behind Mikel Merino.
The 27-year-old’s injury came at the worst time, as before his spell on the sidelines, Gyokeres had his best performance in an Arsenal shirt against Burnley.
The past is the past, and now, the former Sporting CP talisman needs to get his name on the scoresheet.
This week, Arsenal face struggling Club Brugge away from home in the Champions League, followed by hosting Wolves, who are yet to win this season.
If Gyokeres doesn’t add to his current tally of six goals in either of the two games, it would be a disaster that could impact his career at Arsenal going forward.
What is the problem here? Viktor Gyokeres or Arsenal’s style?
The idea of the centre-forward not scoring in either game could transform how he’s viewed, with three players queuing to take his place: Gabriel Jesus, Havertz and Merino.
It would be a nightmare for Gyokeres to slip down the pecking order so soon into his career at Arsenal, which could happen if goals aren’t scored against opposition such as Club Brugge and Wolves.
It’s a pessimistic view that comes with optimistic potential, as if the striker scores multiple goals over the next week of action, he’ll be right back at the top of Arteta’s list.
The pressure is on for Gyokeres to prove any of his doubters wrong and, most importantly, to ensure that how he’s perceived at Arsenal doesn’t change.
Gyokeres is still getting up to speed in the Premier League
There were concerns about Arsenal signing Gyokeres, mostly because the striker’s high-scoring seasons have happened in leagues below the standard of the Premier League.
Are Arsenal actually a better team without Viktor Gyokeres?
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What Arteta won’t want is for those narratives to gather pace once again, something that can be resolved by putting the ball in the net.
Arsenal have seen glimpses of Gyokeres’ strengths, but it’s fair to say that he doesn’t look like a player who has scored 97 goals in his previous two seasons.
Ordinarily, there’d be no need to jump the gun, but given how highly Arteta values Havertz, Gyokeres needs to send a message before his competitor returns.
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