Arsenal buy Gyokeres: Mikel Arteta changes to win the championship

Arsenal had a busy transfer season with blockbuster signing Viktor Gyokeres, along with Mikel Arteta's change of mindset to win the Premier League.

From “false 9” to classic striker

After three consecutive seasons of finishing second in the Premier League, Arsenal and Mikel Arteta no longer had enough patience so they made a landmark change - recruiting Viktor Gyokeres .

A contract that not only adds strength to the attack, but also reflects a change in football thinking of coach Arteta himself: to win the championship, Arsenal needs a real "number 9".

Arsenal spent a lot of effort and money to get Gyokeres. Photo: AFC

Mikel Arteta has shown tactical flexibility many times, but that's why Arsenal has lacked a true center forward in recent seasons.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left, Gabriel Jesus failed to maintain his consistent scoring form, and Kai Havertz – who was expected to make a difference in the role of “false 9” – caused a lot of controversy.

Havertz has good technique, movement and coordination, but his scoring efficiency is too modest for a team that wants to compete for the championship.

Last season, when Havertz was seriously injured, Arteta even pulled midfielder Mikel Merino up to play as the highest position, as a quick-fix solution.

This result is the clearest evidence that Arsenal lack a true centre-forward – the type of player who can score over 20 goals a season, knows how to finish with just one touch, and is always present in the penalty area at the right time.

The owners have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction with Arsenal. That is why Viktor Gyokeres appeared.

The Swedish striker scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting Lisbon – 68 in 66 Portuguese league games – an impressive tally that far outstrips any of Arsenal's current attackers.

Gyokeres is a classic striker with size, speed, pressing power and extremely intelligent off-the-ball movement.

He can operate independently up front, stretching the opposition defence, creating space for satellites like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard or Declan Rice to exploit.

This is the first time since Robin van Persie that Arsenal have had a No. 9 with the stature of a game-changer.

Mikel Arteta is changing himself. Photo: AFC

Of course, this is not a situational contract, but a strategic decision. Arteta has clearly abandoned the “false 9” style of play, for the sake of his position and for the future of Arsenal.

Increase depth

Gyokeres is not the only signing. To win the Premier League – the toughest league in the world – a club needs more than a strong first team.

Depth is what Man City do best, Liverpool do best, and now it's time for Arsenal to follow suit.

Besides Gyokeres, Arsenal recruited Martin Zubimendi, a Sociedad mainstay and EURO 2024 champion.

Zubimendi has a similar playing style to Sergio Busquets, bringing stability, the ability to coordinate the ball and control the tempo of the game.

In addition, Arsenal also brought in Christian Norgaard from Brentford - a muscular defensive midfielder who is good at one-on-one combat and effective in supporting defense.

The addition of Norgaard gives Arteta flexibility to rotate the midfield in the context of the team having to stretch in the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups.

On the two wings, the recruitment of Noni Madueke from Chelsea shows that Arteta wants more backup solutions for Saka - who has been almost exhausted in the past two seasons.

Zubimendi, another big deal for Arsenal. Photo: AFC

Madueke possesses pace, technique and penetrating ability, promising to create positive competition in the right winger position.

Below the defense, young talent Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia) was brought in as a long-term option, inheriting the role of Gabriel Magalhaes or Williams Saliba in the near future.

Mosquera has a good physique, is good at tackling, and is very flexible when asked to play as a left-sided full-back. In addition, Kepa will help his compatriot David Raya have time to rest.

Arsenal are showing maturity not only in their playing style, but also in their team building mindset.

If the past 5 years with Arteta were a period of laying the foundation, now the Gunners are ready to emerge as a real force.

Signing Gyokeres not only brings sharpness to the attack, but also sends a clear message: Arsenal are changing to win glory.

Arsenal have learned enough from finishing second. Now it's time to go to the top.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/arsenal-ra-mat-viktor-gyokeres-mikel-arteta-thay-doi-de-vo-dich-2426331.html