Arsenal’s conflict with Fulham was not their most free-flowing of victories nevertheless it mattered not. Typically you simply must discover a means and the Gunners did simply that at Craven Cottage.
Fulham’s low-block stifled Mikel Arteta’s males so that they turned to their previous answer and trusted buddy; a set-piece.
It was the traditional mixture. Bukayo Saka’s inswinging supply was met by Gabriel nevertheless it wasn’t the Brazilian discovering the web on this event.
His header was glanced on in direction of Leandro Trossard who was left with a easy end on the again put up.
Arsenal are the set-piece kings and in the event that they go on to win the Premier League title subsequent Might, few may have many complaints about that.
Nonetheless, they do must discover a solution to generate extra possibilities for a sure Viktor Gyokeres whose goalless run goes on.
Viktor Gyokeres’ efficiency in numbers vs Fulham
Talking after the sport on the Cottage, Arteta stated of his striker: “He was very shut immediately once more, two or thrice. We have been all begging for him to attain. The work fee he places in for the staff is phenomenal.”
It is a honest evaluation. Over the past month or so, Gyokeres has been bettering. He is operating the channels relentlessly, holding the again up with extra consistency every recreation and the chemistry between him and his teammates is bettering.
Nonetheless, Arsenal introduced the hulking Swede to attain objectives. They want objectives. No Arsenal participant scored double figures within the league final season for the primary time since 1923/24.
Arteta’s aspect might be prime of the desk after two months of the marketing campaign however the easy truth of the matter is that Gyokeres wants to start out discovering the web.
Issues began in a optimistic vogue for the big-money striker. He netted a fantastic header in opposition to Athletic Membership in pre-season earlier than bagging twice in opposition to Leeds and scoring versus Nottingham Forest.
But, that objective in opposition to the Tough Bushes – nonetheless managed by Nuno Santo on the time – got here all the best way again on the thirteenth September. Since then, he has gone 9 objectives for membership and nation with out scoring.
It is worrying, for positive. His efficiency in opposition to Fulham was indicative of the struggles he has encountered since returning to England.
He finds life troublesome in opposition to low blocks and to be honest, so do a variety of strikers. He is merely not acquired the room to run in behind. We noticed first-hand the devastation he may cause in opposition to Olympiacos within the Champions League when he was afforded house.
That is to not say he carried out badly on Saturday afternoon, although. As Arteta references, Gyokeres did have one or two possibilities.
Gyokeres vs Fulham | |
|---|---|
Minutes performed | 96 |
Pictures | 3 |
Pictures on track | 2 |
Anticipated objectives (xG) | 0.40 |
Touches | 20 |
Possession misplaced | 8 |
Floor duels received | 3/4 |
Aerial duels received | 1/3 |
Stats by way of Sofascore. | |
His numbers from the sport informed the story of his season to this point. Bodily, he’s imperious. Gyokeres definitely received his fair proportion of duels at Craven Cottage.
Two photographs on track can be encouraging however, lest we neglect, it is a man who scored 54 occasions for Sporting in 2024/25.
Whereas there have been no expectations he would do the identical within the Premier League, it’s a fear now that this objective drought is just prolonging.
So, what is the answer?
Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres answer
Earlier within the week, it was reported that Arsenal workers had been left blown away by Kai Havertz’s strategy to rehab.
The German picked up an issue in the course of the opening weeks of the season and nonetheless is not due again for quite a lot of weeks now. Nonetheless, there’s a sense that he might return sooner than anticipated.
That can hardly be music to the ears of Gyokeres. In spite of everything, there’s a feeling that Havertz might stroll straight again into this staff if the Swede continues to misfire.
However, what about within the interim? Nicely, there are two options. One is to convey Mikel Merino again into the fray. The Spaniard is definitely in type, notably scoring twice throughout Spain’s win over Bulgaria within the latest worldwide break.
For context, solely Erling Haaland has scored a better proportion of his nation’s objectives throughout World Cup qualifying.
The opposite answer could be to unleash Trossard because the central striker. The Belgian has attracted his fair proportion of criticism over the past 12 months however he’s additionally a person in respectable type, definitely higher than Gyokeres anyway.
Whereas the previous Brighton man is commonly seen as any individual who is best as an impression participant off the bench, he has issued a well timed reminder in latest weeks of why he is such a valued squad member.
He is began to make a behavior of being an away specialist, scoring and helping in Bilbao within the Champions League, netting in opposition to Port Vale and discovering the web this weekend.
Trossard’s end was a easy one, it have to be stated, and he did endure a quiet first half, however he is a dependable determine who pops up in clutch moments.
As Ian Wright as soon as stated too, he is “one of the best finisher” on the membership. Daring phrases nevertheless it’s straightforward to see why he is stated that. Whether or not it is on his proper foot or left foot, the Belgium worldwide is normally dependable.
He will not be the identical stature as Havertz or Gyokeres however in opposition to low blocks, the 30-year-old’s intricacy and shut management might be precisely what Arsenal must open up a defence.
