Viktor Gyokeres: How Arsenal Striker Contributes Despite Six-Game Goal Drought for Mikel Arteta
Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal after an impressive stint at Sporting, where he netted 97 goals in just 102 competitive matches. Although highly regarded as a prolific scorer, Gyokeres is currently experiencing a six-game goal drought in his new role.
Concerns Amidst Strong Team Performance
Despite failing to score in his last six appearances, Gyokeres has made a notable impact at Arsenal. The team secured victories in eight of the ten matches he played, and he has contributed three goals during this period. Nonetheless, this dip in goal-scoring form has led to some unease among fans.
Previous Scoring Record
Gyokeres averaged an impressive 35 goals per season in Portugal, so current numbers have raised eyebrows. His performance against formidable opponents, including Liverpool and Manchester United, revealed gaps in his output, having registered no shots in these crucial matches.
Support from Teammates
Despite the challenges, Arsenal’s vibe remains optimistic. Key players, including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, have voiced their support, emphasizing Gyokeres’s unquantifiable contributions to the team’s overall success.
- Saka praised Gyokeres for his incredible work ethic.
- Arteta acknowledged Gyokeres’s ability to open space for others, enhancing Arsenal’s attacking options.
- Martinelli predicted that Gyokeres could eventually reach 40 goals this season.
Creating Open Spaces
Gyokeres has excelled at stretching opposing defenses, surpassing other strikers like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in his ability to challenge the backline. His movement creates gaps that allow teammates to capitalize offensively.
Notable examples include a recent match against Newcastle where his run created a significant space, and a similar situation arose during the encounter with West Ham, allowing Eberechi Eze to score a critical goal.
Pressing and Defensive Contributions
In addition to his offensive capabilities, Gyokeres is effective in pressing opponents and regaining possession. His off-the-ball work, while not always visible on the scoreboard, allows Arsenal to maintain pressure on their rivals.
Long-Term Expectations
As Gyokeres adapts to the Premier League, the question remains if he can rise to the occasion similar to other central attacking players who initially struggled. Arsenal has experienced similar adjustments with players like Havertz in the past.
Coaches and teammates express confidence that Gyokeres will soon find his scoring touch. “His goals will come,” stated Saka, reinforcing the belief in Gyokeres’s potential to contribute significantly in the long run.
With upcoming fixtures offering a platform for redemption, many fans are hopeful that Gyokeres will transform his current form into a scoring spree. The team looks forward to seeing him back on track as they aim for continued success this season.
Catch the next Arsenal match live this Saturday, 18th October, where the team hopes to capitalize on a favorable schedule to ignite Gyokeres’s scoring ability further.
