Viktor Gyokeres’s start at Arsenal has been quieter on the scoresheet than anticipated, but his overall impact fits Mikel Arteta’s model and is already visible in performances and results. Arsenal value his pressing, hold-up play and movement as platform traits that will unlock goals over time, which is why his early drought has not set off alarm bells.
Form so far Arsenal signed Gyokeres from Sporting in late July for roughly £55 million plus add-ons, positioning him as the leading No.9 for the new campaign. After three goals in his first four appearances, he hit an eight‑game run without scoring before a UEFA Champions League brace against Atletico Madrid broke the streak.
That double took him to five for the season by mid‑October, including three in the Premier League. Why goals are not a worry? Arteta has consistently downplayed any anxiety around the drought, challenging Gyokeres to handle pressure spells while backing his quality to shine through.
Teammates and staff have highlighted his contribution in pressing, link play and buildup even when the finishing touch briefly goes missing. Early underlying numbers have broadly tracked his output, suggesting finishing variance rather than a structural problem for the striker.
Adapting to Mikel Arteta
From day one, Arteta flagged pace, power and intelligent movement as core reasons Viktor Gyokeres fits Arsenal’s game model. Before the Swede’s Premier League bow, Arteta forecast a “tremendous impact” this season as Gyokeres settled into the team’s demands. By October, he was calling him a player who “makes us a much better team” through physicality, pressing and hold‑up play that diversify Arsenal’s attacking routes.
Creating space: His constant pressing, back-to-goal work and near‑post darts occupy centre‑backs, opening lanes for wide attackers to attack the half‑spaces and back post. Arteta’s praise of his ability to hold and link under pressure reflects a brief designed to draw markers and free wingers into more dangerous receiving zones.
Viktor Gyokeres vs Kai Havertz at 9
Kai Havertz thrived as a flexible option last season, toggling between midfield and centre‑forward with productive returns and smart link play in Mikel Arteta’s evolving structure. A knee injury early this season limited his availability, nudging Viktor Gyokeres into the clear first‑choice role up front.
As a pure No.9, Viktor Gyokeres brings more classic striker behaviours, backing in, spinning off shoulders, attacking the six‑yard box, while Havertz offers versatility, aerial threat and combinations that complement him when fit. In short, Gyokeres is the higher‑volume penalty‑box presence, and Havertz remains a hybrid facilitator‑finisher whose best role oscillates with squad needs.
Viktor Gyokeres has Mikel Arteta’s backing
Mikel Arteta has publicly backed Viktor Gyokeres throughout his bedding-in period, praising his pressing, hold‑up play and physicality while insisting the goals will flow with rhythm and confidence. He has also challenged the striker to embrace Arsenal’s pressure and expectations rather than shrink from them during lean spells.
“There was no debate about that. It was about keeping belief in himself, that emotional state that he can enjoy and play freely, his teammates are all so happy for him. He makes us a much better team… we’ve become much more unpredictable. He’s so physical — the way he presses the ball, holds the ball — that’s phenomenal.”
Conclusion
This arc is familiar for elite forwards after a big move; pressing cues, timing with wingers and set‑piece choreography take weeks, not days, to fully click in a new side. Nothing in Mikel Arteta’s messaging suggests panic; the staff clearly value what Viktor Gyokeres does between boxes and trust finishing variance to swing back his way as chemistry deepens.
With the drought snapped, confidence typically follows, and the “makes us a much better team” line hints at a group already tuned to his runs, triggers and back‑to‑goal pivots. As European and domestic rhythms settle, minutes and service patterns should stabilise, with set plays already offering profitable looks he’s attacking aggressively.
Havertz’s eventual return broadens the rotation rather than threatens it, allowing Arsenal to profile‑swap by game state and keep Gyokeres fresher for decisive late‑match moments. Projecting forward, a double‑figure league tally before spring with a strong run‑in is a reasonable expectation for a striker already at five by October while still bedding in. The bet is simple: the process is sound, the adaptation is on track, and the goals will arrive, in volume.
