Viktor Gyokeres: Did the Arsenal striker's remarkable goal and assist during the Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea indicate his growing familiarity with Mikel Arteta's tactics?
It seemed almost scripted. Ben White delivered a perfect cross, and Viktor Gyokeres found the back of the net from just a few yards out, showcasing a connection that dates back to their days as teammates in Brighton’s youth squad, coached by Liam Rosenior.
However, this encounter wasn’t merely a nostalgic reunion. With his impressive performance contributing a goal and an assist in Arsenal's thrilling 3-2 triumph over Chelsea in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, this match could mark a significant turning point for Gyokeres, highlighting his potential impact on the team.
Gyokeres' goal was a straightforward tap-in as he capitalized on a loose ball, while his assist for Martin Zubimendi appeared deceptively simple, yet both moments were crafted under pressure, surrounded by defenders. For his goal, he managed to nudge the ball home while two Chelsea players lunged for it. In the case of Zubimendi's goal, the space afforded for the finish came about because the centre forward had successfully drawn three defenders toward him before delivering the pass.
This match served as another reminder that Gyokeres is one of the Premier League players who often finds himself marked closely by defenders. Yet, this could be the performance that signals the Swedish striker is beginning to adapt to the challenges posed at Arsenal.
One of the standout attributes of Gyokeres this season has been his ability to draw defenders away, a crucial factor noted during the game as two of Arsenal's three goals were generated from open-play crosses. Creating opportunities for these crosses and facilitating other key offensive players is a skill that Mikel Arteta deeply appreciates, especially given that Arsenal has largely operated without a natural centre forward for the past three seasons.
"The expectation is always to score, and we demand much more than that," Arteta remarked after the match against Chelsea, praising Gyokeres' "really good performance." He further stated, "Viktor has been exceptional in many departments. What he contributes to the team is substantial. I understand that sometimes people may overlook it, but we certainly recognize his value, and he was rewarded with a goal today."
Despite ongoing discussions about his goal-scoring record, there were clear indications that Gyokeres is beginning to elevate his all-around game. This was evident even in the first half at Stamford Bridge, where he skillfully maneuvered away from a defender, resulting in a deflected shot that nearly found the net.
In another recent victory, this time against Bournemouth, Gyokeres again drew multiple defenders while pursuing a flick-on from Gabriel Martinelli. His movement created space that allowed Declan Rice to capitalize, leading to Rice’s goal.
Rice acknowledged Gyokeres’ contribution: "Without him making that run from Gabi's flick and holding off defenders to set it up for Martin, the goal wouldn't have happened, allowing us to flip the game around. I see this guy every day. I witness his finishing skills and how powerfully he strikes the ball. When the opportunity presents itself and the ball reaches his feet, he will undoubtedly score. But defenders in the Premier League aim to stop Viktor Gyokeres because he ranks among the world’s best strikers. Naturally, playing against top players like him is challenging for defenders. He faces double marking throughout the match, so he must leverage his strength or whatever means necessary to support the team. Trust me, he's performing exceptionally well for us. We wouldn't be in our current position without his contributions."
So, could this signal the beginning of a more productive phase for Gyokeres? While there’s potential for growth, consistency remains critical, and we’ve seen similar situations before with the Arsenal striker. Not long ago, he netted twice against Atletico Madrid and added another against Burnley shortly thereafter—only to see his form dip. A penalty scored at Everton provided a much-needed boost to his confidence.
"Without a doubt, his most valuable trait is his ability to find the back of the net, but he frequently finds himself in scoring positions, as seen today," Arteta commented. As Gyokeres continues to find the net and establish consistency in his performances, he may finally shake off the negative labels that have recently surrounded him.
