Viktor Gyokeres: Gyok Hard

[DanDare]

I want to draw attention to something here. I've been increasingly critical of Gyok lately, but for me this is a common example of an ongoing problem.

Everyone has a strong foot and a weaker foot, but we can all see when to play this ball. Sure it results in a goal in the passage or play that follows, but it you aren't playing that ball to a number 9 then you aren't trying to play with a number 9.

A challenge I think with Gyökeres movement, which has been far from perfect, but with our team it is trying to second guess when we will actually release the ball.

I think it's clear to most people that there are clear cut times when the ball should be played. Apex moments when the striker is on the shoulder and the wide player gains a yard.

Where I have sympathy with Gyökeres is his instincts do not align with our other attackers behaviours.

Does he accelerate on the first, second, third or fourth saka direction change? Does he wait for Ødegaard to spin once or twice? Will ode release it when the space opens up? Or is he going to take 10 more touches? It's very hard to predict because they often make very sub-optimal positions in transition.

I am not saying he's elite and is absolved of responsibility, but even the pundits are starting to notice this.

I actually think it's this simple. If we simplify transition play, he gets a very respectable goal tally.

And not only should that ball come in to him but frequently doesn't, with the multiple direction changes, defences get time to reset and get into shape and crowd him out

 

[TakeChillPill]

Havertz is absolutely terrible as an 8. No thanks.

That's why he was signed to be xhakas replacement

 

[Rain Dance]

Now this is more like it, the moment Merino got the ball, Gyokeres instantly made a run.
Pulling both CB, opening a path for Zubimendi

more of the same please

 

[viktor]

Came on here to say the same!

i saw a lot times gyokeres made clearance with header when opponent got setpiece corner, he really help us in defense, so that second goal will not happen if gyokeres still on the pitch

 

[viktor]

ups ups ups ups ups, if i speakkkkkk

 

[Legend14]

Kai is back and Viktor improved. Are these related? Missing Kai all season means he did not have a day to day reference on how the position is played at Arsenal. I think Viktor has been unlucky in this regard.

He still has a lot to learn and improve on but today was a turn in the positive direction. It was interesting to see his attributes which are usually invisible because he is so tightly marked. He created more space which gave him more time. He had better balance today as well.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Diesel]

I think right before Gyok got that injury he was starting to get his role...this was more like his atl Madrid.

 

[teamsoutheast]

I'm glad he scored but from his interview, you can tell he's underwhelmed by how things are going.

I like that he's not satisfied and wants to do more. It shows he's hungry and has a strong mentality. This attitude alone will help him pull through.

 

[Trilly]

Does he accelerate on the first, second, third or fourth saka direction change? Does he wait for Ødegaard to spin once or twice? Will ode release it when the space opens up? Or is he going to take 10 more touches? It's very hard to predict because they often make very sub-optimal positions in transition.

I am not saying he's elite and is absolved of responsibility, but even the pundits are starting to notice this.

Yeah this is a legit problem which combined with his own problems has led to things looking very bad.

Probably never going to be a Kai replacement but there’s a decent alternative to Kai in there if a few things are tweaked and he does some work on the training ground.

Main thing I liked today was that he actually tried to take on a defender today and forced a corner from a blocked shot. Low bar I know but at least he’s making defenders have to defend. That should be the bare minimum.

 

[viktor]

 

[viktor]

 

[viktor]

 

[viktor]

 

[Clrnc]

And not only should that ball come in to him but frequently doesn't, with the multiple direction changes, defences get time to reset and get into shape and crowd him out

Yep. Actually if we see Gyokeres game, he makes a lot of runs but we are way too indirect and don't pass it to him. Then he gives up and stop doing that with conviction because he is frustrated.

In the 22nd minute he made a great run when Rice was driving through the middle. A simple through ball and he would have had a shot on goal. But Rice passed it to Trossard instead and Trossard passed it back to Timber and recycled the ball. You can see Gyokeres also being upset on that occasion.

Even when we are ahead we are a terrible counter attacking team. The only time he had space and time to shoot was when Zubi crossed it early immediately for him on the counter. That's what he thrives on.

 

[#254]

Read somewhere that he pushed Saka to hug Ben after his goal because Saka failed to pass to him! Is that true?

 

[viktor]

Read somewhere that he pushed Saka to hug Ben after his goal because Saka failed to pass to him! Is that true?

i understand his frustration but he should not did like that to saka & i dont like gyokeres attitude when did that

 

[1macca1]

i understand his frustration but he should not did like that to saka & i dont like gyokeres attitude when did that

Nothing to see here.

 

[<<reed>>]

Can't believe he's still doing that cringe celebration after scoring scrappy goals

 

[Rasmi]

That’s just poor. Obviously the manager has to have a word with him. Saka as your number 1 guy is not good enough

 

[freeglennhelder2]

I'm glad he scored but from his interview, you can tell he's underwhelmed by how things are going. Let's hope he goes on a scoring run from now until the end if the season.

You could tell from his reluctant "celebration" !