If only he was as intense as gabriel trying to score 
In all honesty he looks like a shadow of himself. I am wondering if he is one of those players that his 1st season he looks poor then with a preseason and working on his fitness in the offseason we will see better.
Problem is at this rate he could have burnt his bridges before that happens.
Looked back at highlights from our last 5+ strikers first few games…
And it’s not looking good brev.
Main criticism towards new strikers over the years here is for missing sitters or not being clinical.
With Gyok, we can’t even have that conversation because he’s rarely present in a position to miss in the first place.
I hope either he or Arteta resolves the situation fast, it’s untenable and can’t continue for much longer.
Haaland banged in 36 goals on his debut season and also had 9 assists, while he was still adjusting to a team used to playing a false 9. As I said before, comparing Gyokeres to Haaland is futile as there’s a gulf in class between the two that words can’t explain.
He’s not showing the same aggression as he once was. Also the whole can’t control the ball narrative is overblown.
If he can get some confidence back, then at the very least he can be an asset for us in search for the title. Clearly the Liverpool game was his worst game but we need to play him into form. We have no idea how Havertz is going to be post injury, hopefully he’s good as it will take some pressure of Gyok.
I think it was @Powderfinger in the summer or at the tail end of last season who raised a concern about Gyokeres touch and how the ball doesn’t seem to stick to him. It was something along those lines and I wasn’t aware of Gyokeres outside of the fact I was concerned he was 27 and had never played in a top league..
But I think the concerns he raised about his touch back in the summer is very much correct and it’s proving to be the case. I think he got away with it in Portugal because he always had that extra yard but in the PL he is punished for every little mis touch he makes.
I could be wrong in quoting Powderfinger though but I’m sure it was him.
Yeah, it was me. If you got past the highlight videos and goal stats and started looking at every touch videos, especially against better teams like Benfica and Porto, it was clear that he had a poor technical level and in particular really struggled to receive and retain the ball under pressure.
What I didn’t predict is how shocking his movement in the box has been in terms of finding spaces and anticipating crosses and cutbacks.
I just don’t see him working as a 9 for us. He’s too uninvolved and lacks several of the key attributes needed to excel there. His movement is poor, his touch and technique are often rudimentary, and he struggles to play with his back to goal. Could that improve with time? Potentially. But at this stage, we’re essentially trying to teach a middle-aged dog new tricks.
I’ve said it jokingly before we signed him and semi seriously since, but using him on the left might yield better performances. He can’t consistently win his duels against Premier League centre-backs. Against a full-back, at least, he should have a physical advantage. And once he builds a bit of momentum, he becomes more difficult to stop.
At Sporting, his go to move was attacking the left channel, whether by running into space or carrying the ball himself. Arsenal could at least recreate those conditions at times. In settled possession, I imagine him being used in a role similar to Aubameyang.
I’m not sure I’m watching football when I’m watching Gyokeres.
He must be playing some different sport, some different game, beyond our grasp…
I understand the logic in a general sense but how often do our wingers really run into space?
Plus, him being on the left would basically destroy our attack against low blocks as he isn’t going to be offering anything in terms of creation. Our own fullback would be nullified too because he isn’t going to be playing any 1-2s like Trossard can.
It’d be a big change in style which isn’t worth it to try and shoehorn in a guy who just isn’t that good.
When we’re in the final third he needs to be on the last man and constantly gambling on balls going into the box. Won’t pay off every time but more often than not it likely will. Simple tweak that would pay dividends.
smart take from Sturridge.
https://x.com/footballera_/status/2009932881829736545?s=46&t=eJpgg6uHWRsStnASv-OePg
It’s clear his fundamentals are just not cut out for this level, can’t be blamed on the system.
Has even more credibility because it’s from the perspective of a fellow shit striker.
Come on. Sturridge was class. Injuries killed his peak
Spot on
Rather his take than 99% of people on the web who’ve never kicked a ball in their life
No way. At a point, Sturridge was borderline World Class. Was brilliant without the injuries. Deservedly, was ahead of Kane as England’s main striker in 2016
That front three of Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling was ridiculous. A shame for the scousers it was short lived.
