The expectations around Viktor Gyökeres are as high as his transfer was a real headache at Arsenal. Sporting CP did everything to obtain the best price, ending up with compensation of €65 million. It’s not so bad for an attacker already 27 years old, but it’s far from the €100 million initially targeted. The media attention has been strong, as much as the exchange of arms between the Swede’s clan and the management of the Portuguese club, and the pressure in his new team is even greater.
His first months are not really satisfactory at the moment. His record of six goals in all competitions in 18 games is not bad, but everyone expects more, especially after he scored 97 goals in 102 games over two seasons with the Leões. To his credit, he also experienced a muscle problem in November, forcing him to miss four games. “ There is a lot of enthusiasm because we brought in a proven goalscorer who probably had the best stats in Europe », Recognizes Mikel Arteta at a press conference.
Arteta asks for time but…
The Spaniard wants to give his striker time, but also admits that his first months are far from perfect. “ He’s a player who arrives in a different league, the most demanding in the world, and what will happen if he doesn’t score for five or six games? That was my only question: “How will you react if you don’t score for five or six games? Can you handle it? And what will happen in the next 100 games?” », he replays during the discussions he had with the player when he signed.
“ Leave him alone, let him do what he does best, support him and I’m sure things will work out as planned », asks the coach to the press, too demanding according to him, while Gyökeres’ last goal dates back to November 1 against Burnley, before his injury. “ As you said, it’s a different league, with different requirements. He hadn’t had a pre-season, and now he’s starting to get back into rhythm “, continues Arteta. A few weeks ago, he recognized an athletic deficit in the striker.
“ He must start converting the chances he gets »
The English media even mentioned a request from the technical staff to lose a little weight. “ I think he is in a very good dynamic. Physically, he is good, and now he must start converting the chances he gets, insists the Gunners coach. He needs it for himself, for his confidence, and we will also judge his performances based on that. It makes sense, but he wants it so bad. » This burst of media pressure comes at a time when Gabriel Jesus made his return to competition after months of absence. Competition is also about demanding a very high level.
