In the first 4:30 Super Sunday match of this Premier League campaign, Arsenal escaped Old Trafford with a valuable 1-0 victory against Manchester United to give Mikel Arteta’s men the ideal start to the season.
However, the one player who struggled to make an impression was Viktor Gyokeres. With time, Arsenal will get more used to having him in the team, but how can they adapt to get the best out of him?
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s Narrow Approach
Both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are wingers who show pace and skill, looking to take on their man with trickery and dynamism. However, both wingers often look to play narrow and cut inside onto their stronger foot, something which will not utilise the best assets of Gyokeres.
Although this is effective on various occasions throughout the match, Gyokeres will thrive off wingers driving to the byline and floating in aerial balls for the player to challenge for.
Furthermore, the Swede often uses his aerial ability on inswinging balls, something which Saka and Martinelli are more likely to deliver.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli also start further infield, often when receiving the ball on the counterattack.
While this is often effective, some fans may argue that if both wingers start wider and have more space to drive at their full-back, the final ball drilled across the box may be more effective for Gyokeres to attack.
Viktor Gyokeres Adaptation Challenge
While the players around Gyokeres have to show adaptability to ensure he is given good service, Gyokeres himself may have to show some adaptations to ensure he embeds himself into the team.
When analysing his performance against Manchester United, it is evident that the player looks to remain tight to the back four to ensure he is a nuisance for the opposition centre-backs.
Further to this, the Swede often makes runs down the channel and uses his physicality to shrug off centre-backs, as he demonstrated on various occasions against Matthijs de Ligt.
However, should Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli continue to play narrow, some may argue that Gyokeres may have to pick his moments to drop back and involve himself in build-up play.
If Gyokeres can provide a link between the midfield and attackers in some instances, this may allow Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli to stay narrow and attack the full-back in a manner in which they are used to.
However, Viktor Gyokeres’ strongest abilities remain as a poacher and an aerial threat. Therefore, the player, after he drops back, would have to show an enhanced work rate and continue to join the attacks to ensure he provides the finishing touch.
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Arsenal’s Next Step in Attack
Against Manchester United, although there were some encouraging moments, Gyokeres was unable to register a shot on target when Altay Bayindir perhaps displayed some volatility that may be pounced upon.
This happened for various reasons, including a lack of suitable service and unsuitable lofted balls directed near the striker.
However, it should be noted that Arsenal need time to adapt and showcase the best of the Swedish player’s abilities.
Arsenal are often noted as a passing team that try and pass their way through defences, and adapting to putting lofted balls into the box will take time for the team.
However, when taking all of this into account, Viktor Gyokeres should remain the solution that Arsenal fans desire, and help their league title challenge.
Throughout multiple summers, Arsenal fans have expressed their desire for a talisman, and that has not been obtained until now, with the likes of Mikel Merino deputising in that position beforehand.
They will therefore be hoping that Viktor Gyokeres can prove to be the ideal solution throughout the season.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Recording Date: 17.08.2025