Assessing Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal Opening: 10 Games, Three Scores

Viktor Gyokeres during play for Arsenal

Arsenal have enjoyed a strong beginning this season, securing victories in eight from their opening 10 matches, but it's been less quite as easy for new forward Viktor Gyokeres.

Following three scores during his initial 4 matches, the £64m acquisition hasn't found the net for six consecutive games, as manager the Spanish tactician saying he offered the Sweden striker an embrace after Saturday's 2-0 win over West Ham for his hard work.

Game Minutes and Team Factors

The Swedish striker has featured for 90 minutes across six of Arsenal's opening 10 matches - beyond the manager initially intended him to play, with the knee injury affecting Kai Havertz restricting the ability Arteta possesses to rest the Swedish international.

Havertz represents one of the manager's key players and exists an argument to be made that the German would have started in place of the Swedish striker in big road matches against the Reds - Arsenal's sole defeat of the season - the Magpies plus the Red Devils, games that they won.

Additionally, there's the fact Gyokeres didn't undergo complete summer preparation before arriving, while skipped team sessions at his former club as he attempted to force through a transfer to Arsenal.

Scoring Record & Anticipations

But Gyokeres is a win-now signing, who scored 97 times across one hundred two games for his previous club in two seasons at the Lisbon-based club.

The striker's drought in goals aren't a problem since Arsenal are securing victories at the moment, yet he represents an athlete who was signed in to get the team over the line while they try to win their initial title since two thousand twenty.

Coach's Perspective & Squad Adaptation

Arteta has demonstrated an appreciation for Gyokeres' work rate during the initial games while showered compliments upon the forward regarding his work which can go unnoticed whenever the opportunity has arisen to do so.

In the aftermath the Gunners' win over Olympiacos, he described the striker's display "exceptional" and commended his "effort level".

When the club signed the Swedish international, there was a feeling his inclusion would create opportunities for the various offensive talents the team have behind him including the Norwegian captain, Bukayo Saka, the creative midfielder plus the Brazilian forward.

Numerical Breakdown

The striker's shot locations this campaign

The North London club have changed their style this campaign to move the ball between the lines more quickly while have adjusted their tactics to become more vertical.

This is in part to get the maximum from the Swedish striker, who does not look to drop deeper and link play like Havertz, rather his primary attribute is considered as making runs between the two defenders and into the space behind them.

Observing Arsenal currently, one can notice the central players are looking for the ball that may free the striker for opportunities.

This is demonstrated by the twenty-three chances Gyokeres has received, however he has merely managed seven shots on target from those chances across 10 games, with one being from the penalty spot.

Tactical Changes and Team Backing

The Gunners struggled to break down opponents in a low block last season as they fell away in the title race, and their revised approach aims to hurt the opposition while maintaining tempo.

The team are likewise delivering crosses more regularly with increased frequency to generate additional opportunities.

One of Gyokeres' three scores so far came from a spot-kick but this occurred when the English winger was already been replaced in the 5-0 victory over United.

Arteta said Gyokeres is the best penalty taker at the club during a discussion for ESPN Brazil, yet it was Saka that took the spot-kick in the win against the Hammers when both were on the pitch, suggesting the England winger could be the primary option to take them this season.

Teammate Support & Belief

Saka, who completed his 200th English top flight appearance for Arsenal in the victory this weekend, has backed Gyokeres to thrive.

"I think Viktor's playing extremely impressively," the Englishman said after the match with the Hammers.

"Without question he will score goals. What he's bringing to this team, us as his colleagues, we're so grateful of what he delivers - how he holds the ball, how he makes the runs, the threat he provides us.

"He's a significant component why we're winning these matches. His scoring will arrive. We know that, we believe that and we believe in his abilities. I don't think there are doubts. He's still positive, he continues to be happy while he's still providing his best every game."

Future Prospects Regarding The Striker

It's reasonable to state it hasn't proven the most straightforward of starts for Gyokeres, but this doesn't imply there aren't indicators to show things will become improved.

Gyokeres started the campaign playing to recover with his fitness following an interrupted pre-season.

The German's injury has resulted in him being thrust into situations earlier compared to perhaps planned - this has also caused the relationships with midfielders behind him which haven't quite clicked have been highlighted.

The striker represents a willing movement maker while consistently looks for {space|g

Heather Allen
Heather Allen

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