Arsenal summer time signing Viktor Gyokeres has impressed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in a deal which may rise to £64 million, however solely in sure Premier League video games.
Mikel Arteta‘s lengthy await a prolific striker was dropped at an finish by sporting director Andrea Berta within the Italian’s first window on the Emirates, and supporters eagerly awaited the Swede’s debut while anticipating large issues.
Gyokeres bagged an unbelievable 97 targets in 102 appearances for Sporting earlier than his swap to north London – spearheading the Primeira Liga champions to a home double final season – and Arteta is hoping his new quantity 9 can replicate these heroics on British shores.
Regardless of Arteta’s fondness for Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal tried to signal in the summertime of 2024 and in January, Berta reportedly swayed Arsenal chiefs into shifting for Gyokeres as a substitute (The Athletic).
|
Arsenal’s summer time signings |
Price ticket |
|---|---|
|
Kepa Arrizabalaga |
£5m |
|
Martin Zubimendi |
£60m |
|
Christian Norgaard |
£15m |
|
Noni Madueke |
£52m |
|
Cristhian Mosquera |
£13m |
|
Viktor Gyokeres |
£55m |
|
Eberechi Eze |
£67.5m |
|
Piero Hincapie |
Mortgage |
So far, the indicators have been pretty promising, however some criticism has surrounded Gyokeres’ lacklustre link-up play in comparison with the likes of Liverpool star Alexander Isak, who was additionally as soon as a “dream” goal for Arteta.
Sky Sports activities pundit Gary Neville additionally believes that Gyokeres will not be a big-game participant for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old failing to make an impression in opposition to each Man United and Liverpool this season.
“He is a misfit, he is a misfit for that group of gamers within the sense that he isn’t form of technically superb, however I really like that form of distinction. That concept of getting this battering ram who’s slightly bit form of ungainly, and he is form of, I believe he’ll beat up small groups,” Neville stated on Sky final weekend,
“Whether or not he’ll do it within the large video games and rating within the large video games, not as certain, I believe that the very best defenders may deal with him, and we’ll see, however I believe he’ll beat up smaller groups for Arsenal, you already know, that is not a nasty factor.”
His targets up to now have are available in a 5-0 win over Leeds United, and most not too long ago, the Gunners’ 3-0 dispatching of Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest final Saturday.
Troy Deeney suggestions Arsenal to exchange Viktor Gyokeres with Kai Havertz
As soon as £280,000-per-week star Kai Havertz is again from harm, talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney is satisfied that Arteta will bench Gyokeres for the massive video games in favour of their versatile German.
“He did not do something in opposition to Liverpool, however they’re the video games they introduced him in for,” Deeney stated.
“Even when you do not rating, you are a nuisance, you are a menace, you make different folks say, ‘Proper, we have to take care of you’, which opens up house for [Bukayo] Saka, Eze, [Noni] Madueke, whoever it’s.
“I simply suppose in these moments, it is the place he’ll fall quick and I believe in these greater video games, when everyone seems to be on top of things, Havertz will play in these video games, I actually do.”
Soccer is usually reactionary at the very best of instances, and we imagine that Gyokeres merely wants extra time to settle in Europe’s best division.
Viktor Gyokeres to ship on large stage for Arsenal in time
The striker’s lack of impression in opposition to Man United and Liverpool is a priority, however that would merely be put right down to Gyokeres discovering his toes at brand-new membership amid loads of strain to ship.
At Sporting CP final season, the Swede produced 54 targets and 13 assists throughout competitions, thriving underneath the strain of title races and European nights. His file exhibits he doesn’t simply rating in opposition to weaker opposition, both.
Gyokeres recurrently delivered targets or assists in decisive matches, together with in opposition to Porto and Benfica, the place his work fee, power, and talent to steer the road stood out.
His six targets in eight Champions League video games for Sporting final season, together with a surprising hat-trick in opposition to Man Metropolis, additionally work wonders to spotlight that Gyokeres can certainly ship on the most important events.
