Gyökeres could turn Arsenal's title race around

After months of negotiations, Viktor Gyökeres became the chosen name with a fee of about 64 million pounds. This is not just a simple deal, but also an affirmation of coach Mikel Arteta's ambition: Arsenal do not want to just finish second, they want to step up to the top of the Premier League.

Addressing “weaknesses”

Looking back at the 2023/24 season, Arsenal finished with 89 points - a respectable number but still not enough to surpass Manchester City. The same thing happened the following season when the "Gunners" were left in the dust by Liverpool.

The main reason was a lack of depth in attack. When Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were overloaded, Arteta’s team lost their spark. By the end of the season, Arsenal’s bench was too thin, making the play predictable and ineffective.

Arteta understood this problem well. That is why he did not stop at recruiting Gyökeres. Arsenal soon added Cristhian Mosquera to strengthen the defense and Noni Madueke to add speed and dynamism on the wing.

But Gyökeres is a strategic acquisition. He not only solves the problem of scoring goals, but also helps Arsenal diversify their approach to the game, avoiding over-reliance on Havertz or Saka.

Many have asked: Does Gyökeres’ arrival mean Kai Havertz is being pushed out? The answer is no. Arteta has great faith in Havertz, not only because of his goalscoring ability but also because of his understanding of Arsenal’s complex pressing system. In the 2023/24 season, Arsenal scored 91 Premier League goals with Havertz playing a central role in the tactical scheme.

Gyökeres brings a different “style”. He is strong, decisive and moves intelligently in the box. This will give Arteta more tactical options, especially in tight matches that require a true striker. Havertz, with his versatility, can still play as a number 10 or on the wing, creating a formidable “two-sword” duo with Gyökeres.

Mikel Arteta doesn't just want Arsenal to be strong, he wants the club to be unpredictable.

Mikel Arteta doesn’t just want Arsenal to be strong, he wants the club to be unpredictable. Gyökeres is the ideal fit in this respect. The Swede plays a direct game, creating quicker and less predictable approaches to goal.

In particular, Arteta still has the ambition to build a squad that can constantly change tactics. Besides Gyökeres, Arsenal is also looking at names like Eberechi Eze to increase creativity. Meanwhile, young talent Max Dowman is making a strong impression in training sessions, promising to add more options to play as a "number 10" or a winger.

Another notable factor is the increasingly prominent role of sporting director Andrea Berta. Prior to his arrival, Arsenal had spent 18 months pursuing Benjamin Sesko. However, Sesko and Leipzig's hesitation led Berta to pivot to Gyökeres.

This reflects a change in Arsenal’s approach: from focusing on the future (Sesko, only 22, has plenty of potential) to selecting a player in the prime of his career like Gyökeres. At 27, Gyökeres is seen as the “completed version”, ready to make an immediate impact.

Potential risks

Of course, the move is not without its risks. Many are concerned that Gyökeres’s goalscoring record at Sporting CP (Portuguese Premier League) will be difficult to replicate in the Premier League – a much tougher and more competitive environment. Darwin Núñez also had his fair share of problems when he moved from Benfica to Liverpool.

Even in 2023, no English club was interested in Gyökeres when he left Coventry City. This raised the question: Is Gyökeres really good enough for a big club? However, Arsenal believe in data and performance analysis. Statistics from Portugal show that Gyökeres has improved his finishing, off-the-ball movement and handling in tight areas - skills that are crucial to success in the Premier League.

Gyökeres brings a different “style”. He is strong, decisive and moves intelligently in the box.

One reason Arsenal “locked” Gyökeres was his attitude. Internal reports from Sporting CP confirmed that Gyökeres is the type of player who is hungry, hard-working and disciplined. These are qualities that Arteta particularly values, especially in a team aiming to conquer the top.

The £64m fee (£55.3m upfront and £8.7m in add-ons) is considered reasonable in a market where quality strikers are scarce. Compared to other potential deals like Isak (which could cost up to £100m), Gyökeres is a financially affordable yet competitive option.

Arsenal has always maintained a sustainable financial policy. The Kroenke family does not want the club to exceed the spending limit according to PSR regulations. This forces Arsenal to be wise in every deal, considering long-term value.

However, the pressure on Arteta is still great. Liverpool can spend up to 80 million euros for Hugo Ekitike, while Newcastle is ready to "let go" of Isak - a direct competitor. If Arsenal do not quickly take advantage of Gyökeres, the gap with other strong teams will be difficult to close.

Viktor Gyökeres is not a blockbuster star like Erling Haaland or Harry Kane, but he is the strategic piece that Arsenal needs. With this addition, Arteta has more depth and attacking variety to change tactics. If Gyökeres integrates quickly and maintains his form, Arsenal can completely turn their championship ambitions into reality.

In the cutthroat competition of the Premier League, sometimes success comes from the most unflashy but suitable signings. Gyökeres – with his strength, intelligence and fighting spirit – could be the player who makes the difference for Arsenal next season.

Source: https://znews.vn/gyokeres-co-the-xoay-chuyen-cuoc-dua-vo-dich-cua-arsenal-post1572003.html