Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell believes Viktor Gyokeres possesses the physical attributes to thrive in the Premier League, but stresses a crucial element is currently missing.
Despite a hefty price tag and considerable expectations, Gyokeres has found the net only once in his last ten top-flight appearances for Arsenal. This slow start has prompted scrutiny, but Campbell remains confident in the player’s potential.
The key, according to Campbell, lies in synergy. Gyokeres’ teammates need to fully grasp his unique movement and anticipate his runs, delivering the ball to him in positions where he can truly flourish.
Campbell draws a parallel to Arsenal legends of the past, highlighting how each striker – Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Jose Reyes, and Dennis Bergkamp – required a distinct approach to unlock their goal-scoring prowess. Gyokeres is no different.
The challenge isn’t simply about fitness, as some have suggested, but about building a seamless connection with key playmakers like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. Rio Ferdinand pinpointed this very issue, observing a lack of “telepathy” between Gyokeres and his fellow attackers.
Ferdinand noted that Gyokeres’ runs need to be tailored to the player with the ball. A move perfectly timed for an Odegaard pass might be ineffective when Saka has possession, and vice versa. This nuanced understanding takes time to develop.
Even with a high volume of crosses into the box, Gyokeres’ movement hasn’t yet fully aligned with the delivery, suggesting a disconnect in timing and anticipation. The potential is there, but the connection needs refinement.
Paul Scholes has even suggested that Arsenal may have been forced into the signing, acquiring Gyokeres as a last resort in the transfer window. Regardless of the circumstances, the focus now is on integration and unlocking his capabilities.
Ultimately, Campbell’s assessment is clear: Gyokeres has the “build” for Premier League success, but his teammates must learn to speak his attacking language for him to reach his full, “great” potential.
