Arsenal are determinedly pursuing Viktor Gyokeres to add firepower to their attack. This trade raises a lot of doubts about if he will be a key contributor or simply a high-risk project. The 25-year-old forward, renowned for his physicality and pace, enjoyed a prolific season at Sporting Lisbon, scoring 27 goals, 23 of which came from fast breaks. Gyokeres has a phenomenal ability to link the ball up by creating an average of 53 progressive carries per game. This remarkable ability truly exemplifies his electric playstyle, allowing him to reach upwards of 60 yards across the length of the pitch.
Gyokeres’ English football breakout came with Coventry City on loan last season. He did so while scoring 40 goals in only 97 appearances during his time there. His strong character and indomitable spirit were on display when he made national headlines. He did so by refusing to report for pre-season training with Sporting, a move which would ultimately force a transfer to Arsenal. The question remains: can Gyokeres translate his success in Portugal to the Premier League?
Outstanding Performance at Sporting
Gyokeres was truly exceptional in the Primeira Liga last year, posting an astonishing +18. On his own, he ranked third in the entire league for progressive carries, emphasizing his otherworldly talents. His ability to transport the ball over large swaths of the field brings a necessary, dynamic layer to his game. He scored over 50% of his non-penalty goals against relegation level teams on the league table. This tactical shift is troubling in terms of his overall coherence when he’s up against better opponents.
Nonetheless, many pundits insist that Gyokeres was better than household names such as Darwin Nunez when he played in Portugal. His combination of strength and speed are enough to give defenders nightmares. He is always looking to make runs behind the backline.
“If you give Vik half a pitch in behind with a high line and you get the line wrong, you’re never going to catch him,” – Adi Viveash.
His ability to always find a way to create value has made him a hot commodity, a good target for teams needing a dependable goal scorer.
Previous Success at Coventry
Gyokeres developed a close relationship with his then-coach Adi Viveash during his time at Coventry. There’s little doubt Viveash played a pivotal role in guiding Gyokeres’s development. As Viveash recalled, Gyokeres was desperate to run the show in training. Yet this drive showcased Gyokeres’s remarkable mentality and indomitable spirit. This often resulted in real tension between them at times, but it also resulted in amazing development.
“He wanted to do finishing at a certain time, he wanted to do this, he wanted to do that. He had a strong character, strong personality and when you get two of you like that, then you have to find a way of communicating,” – Adi Viveash.
The forward who almost towed Coventry City to the Premier League on his watch knows every little bit about rising to the occasion. Even despite that rawness, his teammates were in awe of Gyokeres’s tireless work ethic on the pitch.
“The strikers at other teams, they could produce three or four brilliant runs, but he would do 12, 13, 14,” – source not explicitly mentioned.
His commitment to touching and making space tells you everything you need to know about his mindset as a player. This presents him as a compelling target for Arsenal.
A Risky Gamble for Arsenal?
Gyokeres’ best attributes would make Arsenal’s attacking game more dynamic and versatile. There are questions about his inexperience when going up against much tougher competition in the Premier League. He gained many of his past triumphs against inferior competition in Portugal. It raises the question of how he would do against elite defenses.
When weighed up against these concerns, those who have closely worked with Gyokeres make it clear there is untapped potential within him. Matty Godden, Gyokeres’s ex-Coventry teammate, underscored his singular knack for cutting through opposition rearguards.
“If two or three defenders came to try and take the ball off him, his mentality was: I’ll just run through all of you and that’s the way that he is,” – Matty Godden.
With Arsenal’s attacking front line in disarray, Gyokeres might be the player to provide the spark this team desperately needs. His blend of power and pace makes him a different sort of threat that might just raise the ceiling on this team’s performance.
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