Analyzing Viktor Gyokeres' Gunners Start: Ten Matches, 3 Goals

The Gunners have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, winning eight from their opening 10 matches, but it hasn't proven quite as easy for new forward the Swedish attacker.
After three goals during his initial four matches, the £64m acquisition hasn't found the net in six consecutive games, as head coach the Spanish tactician stating he gave the Swedish forward a hug after the weekend's 2-0 victory against West Ham in recognition of his hard work.
Playing Minutes & Squad Factors
Gyokeres has played 90 minutes across six of Arsenal's opening ten matches - more than Arteta planned for, with the fitness issue to Kai Havertz restricting the capacity the manager has to rest the Swedish international.
Havertz is one of Arteta's key players and exists a case to be had that the German might have started instead of the Swedish striker during important away matches versus Liverpool - the Gunners' sole defeat this campaign - the Magpies plus Manchester United, games that they won.
There is also the reality Gyokeres didn't undergo complete pre-season before arriving, and missed team sessions with Sporting as he attempted to force through a transfer to north London.
Scoring Record & Expectations
But Gyokeres represents a win-now addition, who scored 97 goals across one hundred two appearances with Sporting in his two seasons at the Lisbon-based club.
The striker's lack of goals aren't a problem as the team are winning currently, yet he is a player that was signed to the club to help the squad across the finish line while they try to secure their initial trophy after 2020.
Manager's Viewpoint and Team Integration
Arteta has demonstrated recognition of Gyokeres' work rate in the opening matches while heaped compliments on the striker regarding his work which can go under the radar when the chance has presented to do so.
In the aftermath of Arsenal's victory against the Greek side, he called the forward's performance "outstanding" while praised the player's "effort level".
When the club acquired Gyokeres, existed an expectation his presence would create the space to benefit the various offensive talents the team possess supporting him in Martin Odegaard, the English winger, the creative midfielder and the Brazilian forward.
Numerical Analysis

Arsenal have changed their style this campaign to get possession between the lines more quickly and have adjusted their tactics to be more direct.
This is in part to extract the best out of the Swedish striker, who doesn't attempt to drop deeper and link play similar to Havertz, but whose primary attribute is considered to be making runs between the two centre-backs and into the gaps in behind.
When watching the Gunners currently, one can notice the midfielders are attempting to find the ball that could release Gyokeres for opportunities.
This is shown in the twenty-three opportunities the forward has received, however he has only mustered 7 attempts on goal with those opportunities in ten games, including one coming via a spot-kick.
Strategic Changes and Squad Support
The Gunners struggled to penetrate sides employing low block last season as they faded during the championship pursuit, so their revised style aims to damage the opposition by maintaining tempo.
The team are likewise crossing more regularly more regularly to create additional opportunities.
One of the striker's 3 scores so far came from a spot-kick but this occurred when Saka was already been replaced in the 5-0 win against Leeds.
The manager said Gyokeres represents the best spot-kick specialist at the club during a discussion with the sports network, yet the duty fell to the English international who assumed the spot-kick during the victory over West Ham when both were on the field, implying the English winger might be the primary option to take them this term.
Teammate Support and Confidence
Saka, who made his 200th Premier League appearance for Arsenal in the win on Saturday, has expressed confidence in the Swedish striker to succeed.
"I think Viktor's performing extremely impressively," the Englishman said after the match with West Ham.
"Without question he's going to find the net. What he's providing to the squad, we as his colleagues, we are extremely appreciative for what he delivers - the manner he holds the ball, the way he makes the runs, the danger he provides us.
"He's a significant component why we're securing victories in these matches. His scoring will come. We know that, we're confident while we believe in him. I don't think there are concerns. He's still up, he's still happy while he's still providing his best every game."
Future Outlook Regarding Gyokeres
It's reasonable to state it hasn't proven the easiest beginning for Gyokeres, but that does not mean there aren't indicators suggesting things will get better.
Gyokeres began the campaign playing to recover with his conditioning following a disrupted summer preparation.
The German's injury has resulted in him being thrust into situations sooner than perhaps planned - this has also caused the connections with midfielders behind him which haven't fully developed have been highlighted.
The striker represents a eager movement maker while constantly looks for {space|g