Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage was a restrained but telling performance. The scoreline looked modest, yet beneath it lay the blueprint of a system reshaping itself around a new kind of centre forward. Viktor Gyökeres did not score and may not dominate headlines, but his quiet effectiveness has started to redefine how Arsenal’s most dynamic attacker, Bukayo Saka, operates.
The match itself reflected what Mikel Arteta has been building across recent months. Arsenal pressed in measured waves rather than reckless surges, relying on structured possession and positional discipline. Every pass and movement appeared choreographed to create isolated mismatches wide and to stretch Fulham’s defensive block. The decisive moment came from a set piece, but the groundwork was laid through patterns that depended heavily on Gyökeres’ positioning.
The Function of a Modern Centre Forward
Throughout the ninety minutes Gyökeres functioned less as a traditional finisher and more as a spatial manipulator. He moved between Fulham’s central defenders, often dragging one toward the near side and opening small corridors for Saka to exploit. At times he even dropped short to receive the ball, drawing midfielders into uncomfortable territory. These movements created the half spaces where Saka thrives, allowing him to drive diagonally into the box or combine with teammates in the right half channel.
Observers might question the value of a forward who has yet to score in several outings. Yet Gyökeres’ influence is evident in how defenders react to him. Every time Arsenal circulated possession toward the right, Fulham’s back line hesitated, anticipating a cutback or early cross aimed at the Swede’s runs. That moment of hesitation gave Saka the milliseconds he needed to receive, turn and accelerate. When the winger found himself one on one, Arsenal looked immediately more dangerous.
In earlier seasons Saka carried the burden of being both creator and secondary finisher. With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus injured, Saka’s workload grew heavier. Gyökeres changes that dynamic. He provides a consistent reference point high up the pitch, anchoring defenders and letting wide players attack from deeper angles. Even without scoring, his physical presence means opponents cannot double up on Saka as freely.
The goal that secured the win illustrated the pattern. Arsenal earned a corner late in the game. Fulham were forced to commit both centre backs tightly around Gyökeres, who positioned himself near the penalty spot. That concentration of bodies created open zones around the near post. Saka’s delivery was precise, leading to the chance that Trossard converted. The striker was not credited with an assist or goal, but his positioning created the structure that produced the decisive moment.
Collective Responsibility Over Individual Glory
Arteta’s philosophy relies on collective responsibility rather than individual statistics. In his system the striker’s first duty is not always to score but to maintain shape and provide connection. Gyökeres excels at linking play and pressing intelligently. He presses at the right triggers, guiding opposition build up into predictable zones where Arsenal’s midfielders can recover possession. His work rate without the ball enables the team to compress space and sustain attacks.
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
This unselfish approach has had a direct impact on Saka’s productivity. Freed from the need to drift inside constantly, Saka can now stay wide until the final third. His dribbling lanes are clearer, and his combination play with Jurrien Timber has improved. He receives the ball in advanced positions rather than deep in his own half, which preserves energy and sharpens his decision making near goal. The statistical outcome is that Saka has remained Arsenal’s most consistent chance creator while also improving his shot selection.
Tactical Symmetry Across the Front Line
Gyökeres’ understanding of timing also complements the movement of Arsenal’s left side. When he pulls centre backs toward him, Gabriel Martinelli or Trossard can attack the far post unmarked. This balance across the front line prevents opponents from overloading one flank. Even when Gyökeres’ touch looks heavy or his finishing deserts him, his tactical function holds the team together.
There is still adaptation ahead. The Premier League’s rhythm differs from the Portuguese league where Gyökeres excelled. Defenders close faster, and spaces disappear more quickly. Yet his fundamentals suit Arsenal’s needs. He is strong enough to play with his back to goal and intelligent enough to interpret the cues Arteta demands. The staff view his goal drought as a temporary phase rather than a flaw in profile.
Saka’s evolution mirrors that confidence. His maturity has turned him into a complete wide forward. He now varies his approach between isolation dribbles, early crosses and late runs into the box. Much of this variety becomes possible because Gyökeres occupies the areas that once drew Saka centrally. The Englishman no longer needs to battle for aerial duels or serve as a secondary striker. Instead he operates where he is most dangerous, on the move, with the pitch opening before him.
The synergy between the two is clearest during transitions. When Arsenal regain the ball, Gyökeres often drops a few steps to receive before releasing Saka into space. This direct connection bypasses the midfield and forces defenders to retreat at speed. Even when the move breaks down, it stretches the opposition and sets the tone for the next phase of possession. The system depends on repetition and trust, and both players are beginning to show the understanding required to make it consistent.
A Tactical Evolution Under Arteta
From a tactical viewpoint the pairing represents Arteta’s next evolution after the false nine experiments of past seasons. Instead of rotating midfielders into the striker role, Arsenal now use a true forward who can serve as both target and decoy. The wide players retain their width, while the midfield focuses on control. The outcome is a more stable attacking shape that can adapt to different opponents.
The challenge will be maintaining output against deeper defensive blocks. Fulham sat in a mid block, allowing some space for Saka to exploit. Against compact defences Gyökeres will need to improve his combinations and finishing. His decision making in the box must sharpen to convert the chances his movement generates. The team’s reliance on wide creativity means his presence must yield tangible results sooner rather than later.
The Invisible Contribution
Still, within the context of Arsenal’s title pursuit, Gyökeres’ importance cannot be measured solely by goals. His role is strategic. He enables the system’s most productive player to operate at maximum efficiency. When Saka looks dangerous, the team looks composed and fluid. That correlation is not coincidence. It is the product of deliberate structural planning.
Arteta has built an environment where the collective dictates individual output. Gyökeres embodies that ethos. He holds defenders, presses angles, opens channels and absorbs contact. Saka benefits from the time and freedom those actions provide. In football the assist before the assist often tells the truer story. In Arsenal’s current rhythm, that unseen contribution belongs to Gyökeres.
As the season unfolds and the fixtures tighten, the partnership between Gyökeres and Saka will determine how far Arsenal can push. If the striker begins to score, the system will reach another level. If he does not, his influence will still matter as long as Saka continues to thrive. The win at Craven Cottage offered a glimpse of that balance. It was not flashy or dramatic. It was functional, deliberate and quietly effective, much like the player whose presence made it possible.