Arsenal - Emmanuel Petit
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged Mikel Arteta to adjust his tactics and return to a more direct, counter-attacking style of play to get the best out of new striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish forward arrived at the Emirates this summer in a deal worth up to £64 million from Sporting CP, where he scored an extraordinary 97 goals in 102 appearances. Renowned for his explosive pace and ability to run in behind defenders, Gyokeres thrived in Sporting’s high-intensity, transitional system. But Petit believes Arsenal’s possession-heavy approach has limited the 27-year-old’s impact in his early outings.
“Gyokeres prefers to run into space behind defenders, while Arsenal tend to rely on possession,” Petit toldAS. “Perhaps they need to get back to the fast-paced counter-attacking style they practiced two years ago to get the most out of him. Both he and the team need to meet halfway.”
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Petit pointed to Arsenal’s 2022/23 campaign as an example, when Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka flourished in open spaces during the club’s rapid transitional play. Since then, however, Arteta has shifted toward a more controlled, patient build-up, which Petit argues often leaves Gyokeres isolated. “Too often, wingers drop deep, leaving the pitch empty, making it difficult for Gyokeres to find space,” he added.
Viktor Gyokeres - Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres scored a brace against Leeds United on Saturday (Image credit: Getty Images)
Gyokeres’ competitive debut against Manchester United highlighted the issue. Although Arsenal secured a 1-0 win, the Swede struggled for service. “He was quite alone, he didn’t get any support from his teammates,” Petit told RacingTipster. “I was quite surprised sometimes how Arsenal dropped back defensively.”
Despite the slow start, Petit stressed patience, noting that adapting to the Premier League’s intensity will take time. Tactical data supports his argument: according to SkillCorner, Gyokeres made 85 sprints in behind defenses last season, more than double any other striker in Portugal’s Primeira Liga. He also registered 28 assists at Sporting, often driving into wide areas before cutting the ball back for teammates.
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Arteta himself has acknowledged the need to adjust to Gyokeres’ direct running, admitting after the United game that there were “seven, eight situations” where Arsenal could have released their striker but failed to execute.
The manager’s summer recruitment, which included Gyokeres and winger Noni Madueke, was designed to bring greater unpredictability to an attack sometimes criticised for being predictable.
Gyokeres showed glimpses of that potential with a brace in Arsenal’s 5-0 demolition of Leeds United last weekend, his first goals in the Premier League. “I felt more comfortable today in how we’re playing,” the striker told Sky Sports, suggesting growing chemistry with his new teammates.
Petit, however, insists that Gyokeres alone cannot transform Arsenal’s frontline. “He, alone, isn’t the solution,” he said. “If Arsenal quickly find the balance between his qualities and their style of play, they will be in contention.”
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