Paul Merson has expressed concerns that Arsenal players do not trust Viktor Gyokeres enough to involve him regularly during matches. The striker impressed while playing for Sporting Club, prompting the Gunners to invest significantly in his signing. Arsenal had hoped he would elevate their attacking options and contribute consistently to their goal tally.
Gyokeres’ challenges at Arsenal
Since joining, Gyokeres has not delivered the level of ruthlessness Arsenal anticipated. The Swede is aware that he must improve his finishing and overall influence on matches to maintain his position as the first-choice striker. Although Arsenal has worked hard in recent weeks to secure results and strengthen their standing, they have often relied less on him in attack, reflecting both tactical decisions and the adaptation required in a new team environment.
Fears that Gyokeres might struggle to integrate appear to be materialising, partly because the squad is not accustomed to playing with a traditional striker. This has limited his opportunities to receive the ball in dangerous areas, further affecting his confidence and output. The team’s current setup places responsibility elsewhere, and Gyokeres’s role has not been as central as initially intended.
Merson on the lack of trust
Speaking on The Overlap, Merson commented on the situation, saying, “Arsenal don’t trust him (Gyokeres) and the players never pass to him. You watch him next time; he comes short they go no. When I watch the game, he comes short and they don’t give it to him. I don’t think they trust him at all.”
His remarks suggest that the striker’s struggles are not solely down to his finishing but also linked to the way teammates utilise him. The lack of trust and understanding between Gyokeres and his colleagues is viewed as a key factor in his underwhelming performances, highlighting the challenges faced by forwards adapting to a new tactical system in the Premier League.
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Hes our top scorer. Not saying hes been brilliant but I think his displays are very much in line with all of our forwards. Not one forward stand out from the rest.
Everyones been quite equally disappointing/decent, however you want to look at it.
@DaJuhi
And yet, our buildup play still goes through the right wing. From what I’ve seen, he tries to get into position, but is constantly overlooked. Arteta, should rectify this.
It’s because he does not inspire confidence. Imo, I don’t really understand his area of strength, I mean what does he do exceptionally, I haven’t seen any. Even when he is put through on goal, he doesn’t have the speed, his finishing is nothing to write home about, on the air he is nowhere, his hold up play is none existent. His link up play is awful, he has no dribbling skills, so I don’t really know why we waisted such money on him. Just have a look at Ekitike , that’s money well spent. I think we should start looking for a good finisher to compliment our play.
Mr Paul Merston is telling the truth. Arsenal Football Club have been wanting to CF for the past seasons until the CF has arrived to the Club. VG 14 should be on the Top 5 race of the Golden Boot rivaling Man City’s EH 9. The club is all about teamwork makes the dreamwork, but this what they do is to give him the ball where defenders has marked him. Instead to pass him when free from been marked or allow him to create a chance score goals. So far the player I have noticed who has given him good passes is KH 29. In the 1st leg of the League Cup, EPL, UCL KH 29 was incredible with his performance by assisting VG 14. I kindly request the Arsenal Football Club’s players and staffs to have respect with one another. By this respect and love it’s builds a team to finish stronger to win a trophy or trophies.
Please may all players have respect for each other
Interesting fact is that Gyokeres’ goal to game ratio is currently approximately the same as the 1970/71 double winning centre forward John Radford’s career ratio.
Its not trust, its the way we play. We do not play for a no9.
It’s a tricky one this for me. While he looks devoid of confidence when through on goals, the two examples were against Forest and Leeds respectively.
I do feel for him in the regards the lack of service he’s getting. There’s been a fair few times he makes the runs and they just either don’t see it or they refuse to pass.
I will say though that in the event he actually does get a cross, he doesn’t anticipate where the cross could be going. He just stands still.
So I think it’s a mixture of things really, I still think it a little to early to come to a decision one way or the other. But now we’re getting to the business end of the season, it would be nice to think that he will click into gear sooner rather than later.
Whether that’s the case, we shall see.