Viktor Gyokeres was signed this summer as the much-anticipated answer at Arsenal’s centre forward, but Jamie Carager is not sure he is a real deal for Mikel Arteta’s part
Jamie Carrager believes that Mikel Arteta would have dropped Victor Gyoker on the bench if Kai Herberts had fitted on Sunday. Arsenal headed for Anfield to face Liverpool and tested their credentials for the Premier League title without Herberts.
German International has undergone surgery for a knee injury and is not expected to be on the sidelines for quite some time, but it will be a big mistake on Sunday. Gyoker cared many Arsenal expectations, Bukayo Saka also missed the trip through injury, and Martin Odegaard became suspicious due to shoulder problems.
Gyoker joined Arsenal in a deal worth £63.7 million this summer after plundering 54 goals in 52 games for Sports Lisbon last season. He got off the mark for the gunners last weekend by scoring twice on Leeds’ 5-0 thrashing, but Carragher is nowhere near the 27-year-old centre forward.
After Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 over the opening weekend of the season, Karager expressed his opinion that Arteta benched Gyoker for the biggest game. He doubled his views as he believes the versatility and experience of Herberts’ Arsenal system is more important to Arsenal bosses than what Gyoker has to offer.
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“That’s why my suspicions began ahead of Gyoker on Sunday, but were due to injuries,” he wrote for the Telegraph. “As the season progresses, it is difficult to imagine a perfectly fitted Hubbert being relegated to a proxy for the biggest Premier League and Champions League matches.
“Gyoker has a different profile of strikers who provide solutions to less fashionable teams when needed, rather than German outings and leaving alternatives.”
Gary Neville opposed Karager and proposed an alternative that Arteta might try later this season. “Arsenal needed it in front of center, so I saw a glimpse of him as if he was going to be a handful,” Neville told Sky Sports. “(Gabriel) Martinelli looks like he’s struggling. Perhaps bringing gyoker and Havertz together is something he has to try.”
What you say! Do you agree with Jamie Carrager? Please comment below.
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit is another one to express his concern about Gyoker. He said: “New signatures like Viktor Gyoker and Martin Zubimendi still need to adapt to Arteta’s style. For example, Gyoker prefers to hit the universe behind the defender, while Arsenal tends to resort to ownership.
“Perhaps they need to make the most of it to return to the fast-paced counter attacking style they practiced two years ago. Both he and the team need to meet up halfway.
“Too often, the winger leaves the pitch empty, making it difficult for Gyoker to find space. So he’s not the only solution. If Arsenal quickly finds a balance between his qualities and style of play, they’ll fight.”
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