Arsenal’s marquee signing of the summer featured prominently in only two games ahead of the start of the new campaign. A deal for Viktor Gyökeres was announced as quickly as possible, mostly for integration purposes. The big Swede featured in our last two friendlies, finding the back of the net against Athletic Club following a quiet display against Villarreal.
Concerns regarding our ability to play with a conventional number nine began to surface following the encounter with the Yellow Submarines, but the performance against Athletic Club would have gone a long way to dispel such concerns and instill confidence ahead of the United game. Aside from his goal, Gyökeres impressed with his hold-up play and dribbling. Analysing his game further, I really think he has the capacity to be a creative outlet for the Gunners.
Under-appreciated creative quality
When links to the Swede initially began to surface, a standout quality stuck out to most. His running statistics were exceptional at Sporting and he used them to great effect, scoring a high number of goals from runs in behind the opposition’s defence. Despite his bulky physique, he is deceptively rapid, running through defences like a battering ram.
This quality was expected to add something new to the Arsenal frontline, but its usefulness might have been underestimated. Against Villarreal and Athletic Club, the Swede’s runs through the channels were picked out on several occasions and instead of shooting from a tight angle most of the time, Gyökeres chose to cut the ball back. Despite the small sample size, this shows he has the potential to be a viable creative outlet.
The numbers to back it up
In fact, he has always been a creative outlet, but the attention has been focused on his incredible goalscoring record in the last two campaigns. Despite scoring 97 goals in his two seasons with Sporting, the former Coventry man also provided 26 assists, 14 in his debut campaign and 12 in his last. Looking further back to his final campaign with Coventry, Gyökeres also registered 12 assists in addition to a goal tally of 22.
This will be a useful asset, but only if we can capitalise on it. None of his cut-backs bore any fruit against the aforementioned duo, particularly due to the lack of box crashers or, more specifically, enough bodies in the box. The utilisation of Declan Rice and Zubimendi in a double pivot could also make it less effective considering there will be fewer players attacking the box in theory. Nonetheless, it will prove to be a very useful asset in my view.
Viktor Gyökeres was brought in to score goals, but he definitely has the ability to provide a lot of assists as well.
Thoughts, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
__________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Beat Man U 4-1 on Sunday first, then I will join the hype bandwagon. Until then, pinkies crossed for a sterile and dogmatic Phase 6 season ; )
Na brother, 4-0 with a Big Vik scoring a hatrick- left foot, right foot and a header. Then Saka with a cheeky penalty after Max Dowman gets bought down in the box 💪❤️🤍
Big Vik! I like that. I hope it stuck.
Yep, 4-0 spanking chased down with a pint will feel just nice AndyE
Let’s all just be grateful if we get a good performance from the team and a decent result.
Gyökeres is a great player, but he will need to be used properly and the game against MU, where we are less likely to face a low block is a great opportunity. If he can isolate big Harry he will burn him for pace and I fully expect to see one or two CBs being shown a red card this season for bringing him down when he gets in behind them.
I agree.
Apart from anything else, we don’t know what team Utd will actually put out (and neither did Amorim last time I read his comments). I imagine he’ll try all his new signings if fit, but Sesko hasn’t played any games since the end of July so whether he’ll get much time against Arsenal remains to be seen.
I’ll take the Arsenal win of course, but I don’t really see a huge score as others do, but you never know. It would be a great way to start the season.
A good performance and any kind of win will do me.
Against man united it be a tight game, but at last Arsenal will win . So don’t expect an easy game.
Already feel sorry for people expecting 4-1 or 4-0 results. It will be decided by much foner margins. Hope Arsenal can get a result.
The over the top predictions from our fans in an away at a place like Man United is uncallee for. Then when the game ends up tight like it is supposed to me the same fans will start complaining about how the team is shiiit and should have won it by at least 2 or more clear goals.
Let’s be optimistic but at the same time be logical.
I think it’s part of why they signed him, apart from his goal scoring prowess, he’s got good foot work too, so I won’t be surprised at some point if arteta field gyokores and havertz together while ditching the LW. I don’t know but I think I’m excited about this season
UP GUNNERZ!
I don’t know what to make of Amorim yet. Utd looked like a bunch of footballers on big money and no desire- apart from Fernandes who has ManU blood coursing through his veins
Players are still willing to come to them without European football (big wages perhaps) so we’ll see if they have what Bruno has to reinvigorate what was a poor team last year
I’d like to think we’ll stuff them, but reality is a different matter. We still have all the players from last season- so far – fit and healthy 🙏. Excitement building from Zubimendi and Gyokeres so fingers crossed 🤞 2-1 to us – well that’s what I’m going to put in Dan’s predictor (if he does it of course)
SueP. Show me the money! 🤣
This will not be an easy match as others are predicting. I’m hoping for us to keep a clean sheet although, I’m confident that we will score. So possible result will be 2-1 Arsenal with one of our subs making the difference.