After months of speculation and drawn-out negotiations, Arsenal’s big money striker signing for the summer was Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon.
With much anticipation and lots of pressure on his shoulders, how will Arsenal’s new forward fit in at the club?
With Kai Havertz up top, the Gunners often looked to play long and use his aerial presence to build from the back, link with him deep around the edge of the box to create chances, and resort to looped crosses to the back post to make the most of his size.
The same was seen when Mikel Merino deputised up top for a few months towards the end of last season with Havertz out injured.
Several reports have suggested that Mikel Arteta is planning a more direct approach to accommodate the Swedish striker, who thrived off of running in behind and powering past, and through, defenders in Portugal and the Champions League.
In reality, Arsenal’s strikers already play in that style, but the main difference will be Gyökeres’s running off the ball, looking to sit on the shoulder of the last man and stretch the play in behind.
Gyökeres will not be afforded the space he got in Portugal, but there will still be plenty of space to operate in if the Gunners move the ball quickly when building play.
And that’s part of the benefit of bringing in Martin Zubimendi at the base of midfield.
But really where the biggest difference could come is in how Arsenal combine around the edge of the box with Gyökeres in the team compared to Havertz.
Where the German likes to drop deep and link the play, often leaving a lack of bodies in the box, Gyökeres will sit between the posts like a traditional centre forward.
It may result in fewer touches and Gyökeres sitting on the periphery of games, but Arsenal may need to get comfortable with that if he makes those touches count.
It’s a different style for Arteta and his side, and one that places a greater emphasis on the team behind the striker.
The whole club wanted a goal scorer, it’s time to trust him to do just that.
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