🔗 Share this article Assessing Viktor Gyokeres' Arsenal Opening: 10 Games, 3 Scores The Gunners have enjoyed a strong start to the season, securing victories in eight from their first ten matches, but it has not been quite as easy for recent forward the Swedish attacker. After 3 goals in his first four games, this £64m acquisition hasn't found the net for 6 consecutive games, as head coach Mikel Arteta saying he gave the Sweden striker a hug following Saturday's two-nil win over the Hammers in recognition of his contributions. Game Time and Team Dynamics The Swedish striker has featured for 90 minutes across six from Arsenal's opening ten matches - more than Arteta initially intended him to play, due to the knee injury to Kai Havertz restricting the ability the manager has to rotate the 27-year-old. The German player represents one of Arteta's most trusted squad members while there is an argument to be made that the German might have started instead of Gyokeres in big road fixtures versus the Reds - Arsenal's sole loss of the season - the Magpies and Manchester United, games that they won. Additionally, there's the reality Gyokeres didn't undergo complete summer preparation before joining, and missed team sessions with his former club when he attempted to secure a transfer to Arsenal. Goal-Scoring Record and Expectations But the Swedish international is a win-now addition, who scored 97 times in one hundred two appearances for his previous club during his two seasons at the Lisbon-based club. His drought in scoring aren't a problem since Arsenal are winning at the moment, but he is a player who was signed to the club to help the team over the line while they attempt to secure their first trophy after two thousand twenty. Coach's Perspective & Squad Adaptation The Arsenal manager has shown an appreciation of the striker's effort during the initial games while showered compliments upon the striker regarding his work that can go under the radar whenever the chance has presented to do so. In the aftermath the Gunners' victory over the Greek side, he called the striker's performance "outstanding" and praised his "work-rate". When the club acquired the Swedish international, existed a belief his inclusion would create opportunities for the various attacking talents Arsenal possess behind him in the Norwegian captain, the English winger, the creative midfielder and Gabriel Martinelli. Numerical Analysis The North London club have altered their approach this campaign to get possession through midfield more quickly while have adjusted their strategy to be more direct. This is in part to get the maximum from Gyokeres, that does not look to drop deeper and link play like the German, rather whose strength is considered as making runs between the two defenders and into the gaps behind them. Observing the Gunners this season, one can notice the central players are looking for passes that could release Gyokeres for a chance. This is demonstrated by the twenty-three opportunities the forward has had, but he has merely managed seven shots on target from those opportunities in 10 matches, including one being from the penalty spot. Strategic Changes and Team Backing Arsenal had difficulty to penetrate sides in a low block last season as they faded in the title race, so their revised approach aims to damage the opposition by maintaining tempo. The team are likewise delivering crosses more regularly with increased frequency to create additional opportunities. One of Gyokeres' 3 scores this season came from the penalty spot but that was when the English winger was already been replaced in the five-nil victory over United. Arteta stated the Swedish striker is the best spot-kick specialist in the squad in an interview with the sports network, but the duty fell to Saka who took the spot-kick during the win against West Ham when both were on the field, suggesting the England winger could be first choice for penalties this season. Teammate Support and Confidence The Arsenal winger, who completed his two hundredth English top flight appearance for Arsenal in the win this weekend, has backed the Swedish striker to thrive. "I think Viktor's playing extremely well," the Englishman stated post-game against West Ham. "There's no doubt he will score goals. What he's bringing to this team, we as his team-mates, we are extremely appreciative of what he delivers - how he retains possession, the way he makes movements, the danger he provides the team. "He represents a big part why we're securing victories in these games. His scoring will come. We're aware, we're confident and we have faith in his abilities. I don't believe there's any doubts. He's still up, he's still content and he's consistently giving maximum effort each match." Future Outlook for The Striker It's reasonable to say it has not been the most straightforward of starts for Gyokeres, however this doesn't imply there are not signs to show situations will become improved. The striker started the season attempting to recover regarding his conditioning after a disrupted pre-season. The German's injury has resulted in him being placed into circumstances sooner than possibly anticipated - it has also meant the relationships with midfielders behind him that have not quite clicked are being highlighted. The striker is a willing runner while consistently looks for {space|g