Viktor Gyokeres is close to joining Arsenal in a sensational signing of Swedish striker Viktor Gyoker from Sporting CP.
Several reports suggest an agreement is close between the two clubs after the 27-year-old accepted to give up €2 million from his salary to cover part of the variation in the valuation by both Arsenal and Sporting.
Gyokeres has made it clear from the outset that he would only prefer a move to Arsenal, while also voicing his stance of no longer playing for Sporting beyond last season.
The former Brighton man has been on fire since his move to Portugal in the summer of 2023, leading Sporting’s dominance of the division by scoring 97 goals and providing 26 assists in 102 games across all competitions.
Viktor Gyokeres won the Liga Portugal Top Scorer award in both seasons, while scoring 39 goals in 33 games in the concluded season, numbers that saw him agonizingly close to winning the European Golden Shoe with 58.5 points.
He was eventually beaten to the prize by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, who bagged a brace on the final day of the La Liga season and moved to 62 points with 31 goals.
Despite Viktor Gyokeres’ impressive season, one statistic remains eye-catching and leaves so much to be desired from the man who is set to be added to Arsenal’s attack in a deal in the region of €80 million.
Where Have The Headers Gone, Viktor Gyokeres?
Although impressive, the breakdown of Gyokeres’ league goals might be early signs of worry for Arsenal, and that might be reason Mikel Arteta has always preferred Benjamin Sesko.
For all his prolific numbers, 68 league goals in two seasons for Sporting CP, his lack of impact in the air remains a glaring concern. The Swedish striker scored just two headed goals from 41 attempts over the two seasons in Liga Portugal, a statistic that raises eyebrows considering his physical frame and frequent presence in the box.
Despite being a constant goal threat on the ground with his powerful ball carrying and clinical right foot, his ineffectiveness in duels, most especially aerially, is something fans and pundits have singled out as a major concern as Arsenal close in on an €80 million deal.
In a team like Arsenal, where they have a major knack of scoring with their heads, most especially from set-piece situations, having a striker like Gyokeres, who is unable to dominate in the air could limit his effectiveness.
Although this is not a fatal flaw, but for a striker who has earned himself quite a reputation, there is a need to be multi-dimensional, Gyökeres’ headed numbers beg the question: where did the headers go?
While RB Leipzig has refuse to lower their demands for Benjamin Sesko, the Premier League club are left with no choice than to bring home their secondary option, who in fairness, has shown much willingness to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal is a home where players have the propensity to improve. It has been the case for the majority since Mikel Arteta’s arrival, and Gyokeres will be hopeful to get better where he comes short, if not too soon for a player turning 28 on their next birthday.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
1 Comment
We have Gabriel.M for that, I don’t think he must finish with head, leg is okay and is toughness is good enough!