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Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres stepped up for Sweden when they needed him most.
Graham Potter’s side had to beat Ukraine in the playoff semi-final to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Without Alexander Isak, there were question marks.
However, Sweden didn’t miss the Liverpool man one bit because Gyokeres fired them to a win with a fantastic hat-trick.
Arsenal supporters were blown away by the striker’s display, so much so that they now feel it is Mikel Arteta who is holding him back at the Emirates Stadium.
Having seen both strikers in the Premier League, who would you sign for Arsenal now: Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres?
Credit: Getty Images/Visionhaus/Molly Darlington/Copa Arsenal fans blame Mikel Arteta for Viktor Gyokeres’ club struggles after his Sweden hat-trick
Gyokeres has scored 16 goals in all competitions for Arsenal so far this term, which is not a bad return at all considering this is his first-ever season in the Premier League.
However, the Swede has still come under criticism for not having enough impact in certain games.
After watching his hat-trick for Sweden on Thursday night, Arsenal fans have started directing the criticism towards Arteta, blaming his tactics for the striker’s struggles.
One supporter tweeted: “Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick for Sweden. Mikel, man. Fix it.”
Photo by Alex Caparros – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Another wrote: “Yeah, I’m convinced. Either Arteta’s tactics are the problem or the midfielders are the problem. Gyokeres is not.”
“Just checked Gyokeres scored with every shot he had today. We are killing him with how we play because we try to use him as a target man in every game,” said another.
Another Gooner posted: “Viktor Gyokeres is not a bad striker. Arteta just doesn’t have a clue how to use a striker.”
“Gyokeres will expose Arteta’s system and show you doubters that the system is the problem, not him,” tweeted another.
How do you RATE Viktor Gyokeres’ first season at Arsenal so far… 👀
Credit: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images Is Mikel Arteta really to blame for Viktor Gyokeres’ struggles at Arsenal?
Arsenal fans definitely have a point – some of the things Arteta’s system demands from a striker are hurting Gyokeres at the top end of the pitch.
However, there are other factors too.
One of them is that almost every team sits deep in a low block when they face Arsenal, making it almost impossible for Gyokeres to run in behind.
Another problem is the Swede’s movement. Yes, his Arsenal teammates should make more of an attempt to find him, but Gyokeres needs to be a lot more aggressive with his runs inside the box as well.
Arteta definitely has a few things to learn to get the better of Gyokeres, but so does the striker and his teammates. Hopefully, that will happen after the international break.
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