Analysing Gyökeres’ Arsenal debut | OneFootball

Viktor Gyökeres made his Arsenal competitive debut at Old Trafford, but the Swedish forward was left frustrated as his influence on the match proved limited.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Viktor Gyökeres was handed his Arsenal debut at Old Trafford, but the Swedish striker endured a difficult afternoon in a game where his side were second best for long spells.

His impact on the contest was limited. Gyökeres managed just 22 touches in an hour on the pitch, completed four passes and failed to register a shot for the first time since his Coventry days. He was replaced by Kai Havertz after 60 minutes, having struggled to establish any meaningful threat against Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelöf.

Much of the issue stemmed from Arsenal’s inability to control midfield. Sloppy passing and wasteful transitions meant the ball rarely reached Gyökeres in central areas. He was often left isolated, forced into wide channels or dropping deep trying to get involved, which blunted his presence in the penalty box.

When he did engage defenders, his physical strength was clear. On several occasions he unsettled De Ligt, holding him off or forcing the Dutchman to retreat.

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Yet, without quality balls from midfield, those moments led to little end product. Arsenal’s build-up play bypassed him too often, leaving their record signing chasing long passes rather than linking with Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli.

The numbers underline the problem. With no shots attempted, limited touches in attacking areas and a pass completion of just 44 per cent, Gyökeres had little opportunity to demonstrate his finishing or movement inside the box. He touched the ball in the United box just three times.

His substitution on the hour reflected both the pattern of the match and Arsenal’s tactical shift as they defended a narrow lead, although I would have liked to have seen him given time on the pitch alongside Noni Madueke, who replaced Gabriel Martinelli at the same time Gyokeres was taken off.

In short, Gyökeres’s debut was tough.

He worked hard, competed physically and tried to impose himself against United’s centre-backs, but Arsenal’s lack of midfield control and poor service left him largely anonymous in front of goal.

On another day, with more composure in possession and better delivery, his qualities will become clearer.