Key Points
- Arsenal fans strongly back Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line against Aston Villa, citing his pressing ability and capacity to cause havoc from the front despite a poor showing against Brighton.
- Gyokeres delivered a subpar performance in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Brighton, including a tame early miss, as the team fired 24 shots for 3.08 xG but scored only once directly.
- Mikel Arteta substituted Gyokeres after 71 minutes for Gabriel Jesus, yet supporters remain supportive for the upcoming Aston Villa clash.
- David Raya made an extraordinary save to deny Yankuba Minteh, securing the three points for Arsenal against Brighton.
- Arsenal reclaimed the Premier League top spot with the narrow win, starting ferociously as Gyokeres and Bukayo Saka tested Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen.
- Gyokeres has struggled with just five Premier League goals from 15 appearances (two penalties), prompting calls for Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz, though fans push for continuity.
- Critics question if Arteta should drop Gyokeres, noting his disjointed play, low duel win rate (36%), zero assists in 21 games, and reliance on penalties or deflections for goals.
- Arsenal’s recent form shows 9.27 xG over four games yielding only one open-play goal by an Arsenal player, with four own-goals and one Gyokeres penalty.
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Brighton to reclaim the Premier League summit, but the spotlight falls on striker Viktor Gyokeres’ underwhelming display amid fans’ calls for him to start against Aston Villa. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated possession and chances yet laboured to victory, fuelling debate over the Swedish forward’s role. Supporters, however, rally behind Gyokeres for his off-ball work.
Who Performed Poorly in Arsenal’s Brighton Clash?
Viktor Gyokeres produced a really poor performance against Brighton, as detailed in match analysis from Arsenal Insider. The report highlights his tame early shot rolled straight into Bart Verbruggen’s arms, emblematic of broader goal-scoring woes. As reported by analysts at Pain in the Arsenal, this miss left Gyokeres on just five Premier League goals from 15 outings, two via penalties, thinning patience among some observers.
Arsenal generated 24 shots and 3.08 expected goals (xG) but managed only one direct goal, the other a deflection, underscoring wastefulness up front. The Premier League’s official match report notes Arsenal’s ferocious start, with Gyokeres and Saka testing Verbruggen before Martin Odegaard opened scoring. Yet, on the hour mark, Gyokeres saw his effort blocked, extending his open-play drought to seven games per ESPN.
Mikel Arteta withdrew Gyokeres after 71 minutes for Gabriel Jesus, a move that steadied the attack late on. ESPN’s game analysis describes Georginio Rutter heading Declan Rice’s corner into his own net at the 52nd minute, doubling Arsenal’s lead before Diego Gómez pulled one back. Despite Brighton’s resurgence, including Yasin Ayari hitting the post, Arsenal held firm.
What Saved Arsenal against Brighton?
David Raya produced an extraordinary save to deny Yankuba Minteh late on, ensuring Arsenal collected all three points, as emphasised by Ian Wright in Arsenal Insider coverage. The Spaniard, on his 150th Premier League appearance, made a fine diving stop on Minteh’s curling effort, pivotal in a match riddled with anxiety at the Emirates.
The Premier League report credits Raya’s ultimate match-winning moment amid Arsenal’s late misses, notably Gabriel Martinelli blazing over from six yards. Arteta welcomed back Gabriel Magalhães post-November injury, bolstering the defence to see out the win. Forget Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Ian Wright says Arsenal only beat Brighton because of Raya, per Arsenal Insider.
Brighton compounded their misery with Georginio’s own goal off Rice’s menacing corner, yet Gomez’s smashed rebound after Ayari’s post hit hauled them back. Arsenal’s incessant pressure persisted, with Leandro Trossard blazing over pre-break after Verbruggen denied Martin Zubimendi.
Why Do Arsenal Fans Back Gyokeres vs Aston Villa?
Arsenal fans are doubling down on Viktor Gyokeres, backing Mikel Arteta to start him against Aston Villa for one key reason: his ability to press from the front and cause havoc. Despite struggles in front of goal against Brighton, supporters value his work rate, as echoed in Arsenal Insider’s fan sentiment analysis.
As reported by Arsenal Insider journalists, fans prioritise Gyokeres’ pressing over finishing amid Arsenal’s title push. This contrasts broader criticism; ESPN questions if it’s time to drop him, citing disjointed integration halfway through the season. Nevertheless, fan voices on social platforms and forums, aggregated by Arsenal Insider, demand continuity.
Predicted lineups from YouTube channels like Arsenal News confirm Gyokeres in 4-3-3 setups with Saka and Eberechi Eze, reflecting supporter optimism. Evening Standard notes rotation possibilities, with Jesus bright off the bench, but Gyokeres likely retained.
Is Gyokeres Struggling at Arsenal?
Viktor Gyokeres’ goal-scoring woes at Arsenal are laid bare by damning statistics, per Pain in the Arsenal. Patience has worn thin after another blank versus Brighton, amplifying desires for Jesus or Kai Havertz as first-choice.
ESPN details seven goals from 21 appearances: two penalties, two set-piece scrambles, one deflection, one solo, and one team-move against Nottingham Forest. He has won only 36% of duels—worse than 68% of Premier League strikers—and zero assists. Arsenal’s last four games yielded 9.27 xG but one open-play goal by an Arsenal player, four own-goals, and one Gyokeres penalty.
Steve Nicol discusses Arsenal’s final-third struggles post-Brighton on ESPN FC YouTube. The Evening Standard highlights Gyokeres offering little again, with Jesus, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, or Martinelli pushing. Pain in the Arsenal notes his early tame roll into Verbruggen.
What Are the Tactical Debates Around Gyokeres?
Mikel Arteta faces decisions on Gyokeres for Aston Villa, alongside Declan Rice and William Saliba, per Football London. ESPN ponders dropping him, as Arsenal looked fluid with Jesus leading. Havertz nears return, per reports.
Arsenal have scored six in recent period but four own-goals, one Gyokeres penalty, worrying Arteta. Premier League previews note Gyokeres testing Verbruggen early. YouTube reactions question if Gyokeres messed up the win, yet note hard-fought nature.
Fans divided: frustration with goals but recognition of threat post-subs, per ESPN FC. Training insights show Arteta trusting Gyokeres’ sharpness.
How Does This Impact Arsenal’s Title Bid?
Arsenal reclaimed top spot, showing character despite wastefulness. Raya’s heroics and Magalhães’ return aid defence. Yet over-reliance on deflections and penalties raises concerns.
Against Villa, fans see Gyokeres’ pressing key at Villa Park. Predicted XIs keep him central. Arteta’s rotation looms with injuries.
