In the relentlessly scrutinized arena of Premier League football, a striker`s worth is habitually quantified by one irrefutable metric: goals. Yet, within the strategic sanctum of Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta is orchestrating a compelling counter-narrative, fervently championing his high-earning forward, Viktor Gyokeres, amidst an undeniably lean patch of five matches without finding the net.
The Unscored Goal: Impact Beyond the Net
The recent 2-0 Champions League triumph against Olympiacos served as a quintessential illustration of Gyokeres’ current paradox. While the Swedish international`s name remained conspicuously absent from the scoresheet, his operational influence on the fixture was anything but. It was Gyokeres` powerful strike, deflected onto the post, that provided the crucial assist for Gabriel Martinelli to seize Arsenal’s opening goal. Throughout the ninety minutes, he consistently carved out menacing positions, only to be denied by the heroic, often desperate, interventions of opposition defenders – a testament to his persistent attacking enterprise, if not his immediate fortune.
“What I sense is that he’s doing better and better things every game,” Arteta declared with unwavering conviction. “He was denied a few times with blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional. Again, his work was really good, and yeah, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn’t do that, at least to do everything as he’s doing for the team, because he’s helping the team a lot.”
The Modern Striker: A Tapestry of Contributions
Arteta`s steadfast belief in Gyokeres illuminates a more sophisticated, analytical appreciation of the modern striker`s multifaceted responsibilities. In an era where tactical blueprints demand far more than mere clinical finishing, a forward`s capacity for intelligent pressing, effective hold-up play, the creation of crucial space for teammates, and an overarching contribution to offensive fluidity can be as profoundly valuable as their raw goal tally. Gyokeres, with his industrious work ethic and astute positional awareness, appears to embody this holistic approach. He may not be burying every opportunity, but he is undeniably laying the groundwork for others to do so.
Naturally, the significant financial commitment – a reported £10m+ per season in wages – casts a long shadow of expectation, a burden that typically only goals can truly alleviate. There`s a subtle, almost theatrical irony in a player compensated handsomely for putting the ball in the net, currently being lauded for virtually *everything but* that singular act.
Anticipation Builds: West Ham Awaits
As Arsenal prepares to welcome a struggling West Ham to the Emirates in their upcoming Premier League fixture on Saturday, all footballing eyes will inevitably gravitate towards Gyokeres. This encounter presents a prime opportunity for the Swedish striker to decisively break his goal drought and emphatically validate Arteta’s enduring faith. The manager himself echoed this sentiment with his characteristic blend of hope and pragmatic realism:
“I don’t know, but hopefully, yes, and hopefully it will be on Saturday.”
Arsenal`s impressive Champions League campaign, having meticulously accumulated six points from their opening two group stage matches – with Bukayo Saka adding the decisive second goal against Olympiacos and Martin Zubimendi anchoring a solid midfield display – underscores the team’s current wave of positive momentum. Sustaining this momentum, as Zubimendi himself acutely observed, is paramount. For Gyokeres, converting pending chances into tangible goals against West Ham would not only reinforce Arteta’s progressive vision but also deliver a potent psychological uplift, effectively silencing any lingering external whispers regarding his substantial contribution to the Gunners` lofty aspirations.
The Verdict: Patience in Pursuit of Prowess
In the impatient theatre of professional football, patience is a virtue frequently eclipsed by the clamor for instant gratification. Mikel Arteta’s steadfast stance on Viktor Gyokeres is a masterclass in modern managerial support, acknowledging the tangible progress and critical, albeit often unheralded, contributions of his forward. While the spotlight, by its very nature, gravitates towards the goalscorer, Arsenal`s analytical framework suggests a deeper, more comprehensive appreciation for overall impact. The goals, as the timeless adage assures us, will undeniably come. And when they do, they will undoubtedly taste all the sweeter for the journey undertaken.
