Arsenal remains firmly at the top of the Premier League table following a narrow 1-0 victory against Fulham. Despite this success, criticism surrounds one of their players, Viktor Gyokeres, who continues to struggle with a significant goal drought.
Gyokeres Struggles to Find Form
The Swedish striker has now gone seven matches across all competitions without scoring. This dry spell has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from football pundits and fans, who expected more following his arrival at Arsenal.
Goal Statistics and Critiques
- Gyokeres netted just three goals in his first 11 appearances.
- Two of these goals came during a convincing 5-0 victory over Leeds.
- Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time leading goal-scorer, publicly compared Gyokeres to top talents like Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe.
Shearer emphasized that Gyokeres is “far from” matching these elite forwards. He acknowledged the forward’s ability to create space for teammates, but stressed that improvement in Gyokeres’ goal-scoring is crucial.
Impact of Set-Piece Strategy
Leandro Trossard scored the crucial goal for Arsenal, showcasing their effectiveness in set-piece situations. This strategy has evolved significantly under manager Mikel Arteta, making Arsenal one of the Premier League’s most successful teams in this facet of the game this season.
- Arsenal is currently tied with Chelsea for the most set-piece goals.
- Trossard praised the strategy, teasing critics like Gary Neville, who believes the team’s focus on set-pieces has sacrificed their open play style.
Trossard’s clever finish from a corner exemplifies how crucial set-pieces have become for the Gunners this term.
Future Prospects for Gyokeres
Former Premier League official Keith Hackett noted that Gyokeres had an opportunity to win a penalty in the game against Fulham. He chose to stay on his feet after being challenged, which ultimately hampered Arsenal’s chances of earning a penalty.
The ongoing criticism suggests that Gyokeres must find a way to adapt and improve to meet fans’ and pundits’ expectations. As Arsenal aims to maintain their title challenge, the performance of Gyokeres will be closely monitored.
Arsenal’s focus is on ensuring results. As they prepare for upcoming matches, the team seeks to convert opportunities and extend their lead in the Premier League.
