Viktor Gyokeres was on target against Everton.placeholder image
Viktor Gyokeres was on target against Everton. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side edged past Everton with a 1-0 win to sit top of the table on Christmas.
Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres scored his first Premier League goal since the start of November to help the Gunners to three points against Everton on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old, who was signed for £55 million from Sporting, scored from the penalty spot to find the only goal in the game. It was the striker’s seventh goal in 20 Arsenal appearances in what has been a slow goalscoring start for a player who plundered 54 goals across all competitions in Portugal last term.
Gyokeres was handed the ball to take the spot kick by Martin Odegaard with Arteta admitting after the match that he was happy with that decision and respected players helping their colleague build goalscoring confidence.
Jamie Redknapp demands more from Arsenal striker
The striker was rated a 7/10 for his performance against Everton by The Standard with the outlet writing: “Got his much-needed goal in what Arteta will hope is a turning point. Good runs in behind and team-mates were better at picking him out, but still needs to be stronger in holding up the ball.”
Despite making the difference on Merseyside, former Tottenham Hotspur man Jamie Redknapp remained unconvinced by what Gyokeres is currently bringing to the team. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “He did okay. It’s a struggle for him at the moment, I think he’s finding it hard up there. For whatever reason, and it shouldn’t be the case because he’s been in the English leagues before, it looks like he’s really struggling with the physicality of it, considering he’s a big guy.
“I very rarely see him win a duel, when I thought he could overpower people. In terms of his finesse and touch and bringing people into play, not good enough. He’s finding it tough. He’s never going to be a [Dennis] Bergkamp where he’s going to roll people and play clever little passes. He’s a battering ram that’s going to score goals and make big moments and hopefully win you games.
“Yes, he won you the game but with a penalty. You want to see him winning games with really important goals that are going to make a difference in the big games. At the moment, he’s done okay. I don’t think you can say anything more than that.”
Daniel Sturridge - Gyokeres needs to be the ‘main man’
Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge was also on hand to offer his opinion on the forward, and suggested that Arsenal’s tactics may not be working in the Sweden international’s favour.
He said: “He’s not done a lot to make you feel he’s the long term answer. His style, does it fit what they are doing? Yes, because he stretches the game and runs in behind. But the way they play with goalscoring wingers, you do need maybe someone different at times. He needs to be fed and be the main man.
“His type of striker, you need to play for them. It can’t be we’re going to get 10 goals from here, seven from there, nine from there. He needs to be the focal point.”
In other news, 'Sad Sight': Arsenal and Chelsea handed title race boost as Liverpool star Alexander Isak injured.
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