Arsenal’s “future captain” is changing into a much bigger legal responsibility than Gyokeres

On Wednesday night Arsenal followers rejoiced as they noticed their title rivals slip up.

Aston Villa and Manchester Metropolis had each drawn, that means that if the Gunners defeated Liverpool on the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, they’d go eight factors clear on the prime of the Premier League.

Alas, that didn’t occur. There was enormous expectancy amongst Arsenal followers as an damage depleted Liverpool facet headed to north London however the league leaders arguably put within the worst show of the season.

Between the forty fourth minute and damage time, Mikel Areta’s males did not have a single shot. The guests managed a lot of the possession within the second interval however by no means seemed like scoring.

Fact be instructed, neither facet seemed like discovering the web. This was simply one of many least eventful video games we’ve seen within the top-flight this season.

Alright, we’re not promoting issues notably properly, however there have been a variety of speaking factors, not least one other nameless show from a sure Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles vs Liverpool

A 12 months in the past, Arsenal actually wanted to signal a striker. Gabriel Jesus had suffered an ACL damage, Kai Havertz was removed from prolific and Eddie Nketiah had left for Crystal Palace in the summertime.

Did they signal one? In opposition to their higher judgement, no. Simply days after the window closed, Havertz suffered a hamstring damage which ensured he missed a lot of the second half of the season.

Mikel Merino stuffed in tremendously properly as a makeshift striker however as soon as the summer time got here round, Arteta’s facet couldn’t afford to search out themselves in the identical state of affairs.

They signed a striker, securing the providers of Viktor Gyokeres. Earlier than Andrea Berta arrived it seemed as if the recruitment crew had fancied Benjamin Sesko – who later moved from RB Leipzig to Manchester United – but it surely was Berta who championed a transfer for Gyokeres.

Arsenal’s new sporting director has executed quite a bit proper since being given the submit within the early levels of 2025 however the acquisition of the Swedish centre-forward has to go down as a colossal blunder.

Certainly, whereas the Swede definitely hasn’t had issues all his personal approach – Arsenal might create extra for him – his failings are solely being exacerbated the longer his aim drought goes on.

The large-money summer time arrival did discover the web from the penalty spot in opposition to Everton earlier than Christmas however he has not scored a non-penalty aim for the reason that membership’s win over Burnley again in November.

Gyokeres doesn’t appear like he fits Arsenal playstyle however to chop him some slack, Arteta’s most artistic gamers haven’t been forthcoming with too many possibilities for him. It says all of it that in seven of his Premier League outings, he’s did not have a single shot.

That was the identical story on Thursday night in opposition to Liverpool. Gary Neville described his efficiency as “actually poor”, suggesting it was one other “ineffective” night time for the previous Coventry Metropolis striker. You possibly can’t disagree with that assertion.

Whereas the centre ahead is a nuisance and occupies defenders, he is been introduced into rating targets and he’s merely not going that. One other sport handed him by with minimal influence.

That stated, he’s not the one drawback for Arteta in the meanwhile.

Arsenal have a much bigger drawback than Gyokeres

The Swede is changing into a giant problem for Arteta and though the Spaniard has advised he’s seeing enchancment, it’s absolutely time for a spell on the sidelines now.

Two of Arsenal’s finest performances this time period – the wins over Bayern Munich and Spurs – got here with Merino main the road whereas Jesus and Havertz are again from damage, albeit to differing levels of health.

On the again, nevertheless, there’s a drawback for Arteta and his teaching employees. A lot has been manufactured from the centre-back damage disaster this time period. The Gunners have even been linked with a transfer for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi this week.

But, that pesky left-back function is changing into a problem once more, simply because it was when Oleksandr Zinchenko couldn’t nail down a daily beginning berth in that function.

Riccardo Calafiori started the season at left-back and since his damage, it’s Piero Hincapie, not Myles Lewis-Skelly who has been most well-liked.

Lewis-Skelly’s cameo in opposition to Liverpool confirmed exactly why he’s been bumped down the pecking order.

The 2024/25 marketing campaign was a breakthrough one for {the teenager} however absolutely all hopes of him making England’s World Cup squad this summer time are being extinguished. He’s barely kicked a ball this time period, that includes for simply 312 minutes within the league.

Why? Properly, it appears to be like like he’s affected by a insecurity and rustiness. That’s hardly stunning given his restricted minutes. Even so, you’d count on higher for the most effective younger gamers within the nation.

He’s gone from being nominated for the PFA Younger Participant of the 12 months award, somebody who scored in opposition to Man Metropolis, to a participant who doesn’t look able to beginning for Arsenal in a really quick time period.

Introduced on to switch an injured Hincapie in opposition to Liverpool, the England worldwide had a disastrous cameo, notably ran ragged by the spritely Jeremie Frimpong down Liverpool’s left flank.

On multiple event the Dutchman obtained the higher of Lewis-Skelly and Arsenal have been lucky to not concede following the full-back’s haphazard defending.

One second of insanity summed up his season. Making an attempt to progress the ball into the centre of the pitch from the left, he gifted possession straight again to Liverpool. Arteta may have rightfully been perplexed with what he was seeing from somebody who’s often so assured and fearless.

Lewis-Skelly has misplaced his mojo and easily can’t be trusted to start out video games for Arsenal, definitely at left-back anyway.

Gyokeres could be struggling to search out targets however he’s serving to the crew’s general dynamic. He can pin a number of defenders directly – see Declan Rice’s first aim in opposition to Bournemouth – thus creating house for members of Arsenal’s ahead line to thrive.

As for the Hale Ender, it’s been a story of woe this season. He’s regressed and appears a much bigger drawback than the membership’s big-name striker. He does, nevertheless, have time on his facet. Gyokeres, arguably, doesn’t.

The longer term stays shiny for Lewis-Skelly. In spite of everything, he has been described as “future captain” of the membership by some insiders. It is time to see some enchancment earlier than Arteta actually does lose his religion within the teen.

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