Viktor Gyokeres: How did Arsenal’s new striker do in his first begin towards Villarreal amid Max Dowman’s star exhibiting?

There was an enormous roar earlier than kick-off. Arsenal have a brand new striker, a brand new No 14 – a centre ahead that the soccer world requested Mikel Arteta to signal for years.

Come full-time, the No 14 being talked about was the variety of touches Gyokeres managed on his first Arsenal begin, fairly than the aura of the Swedish striker following within the footsteps of Thierry Henry and his iconic shirt quantity.

The 27-year-old was given an hour by Arteta in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat to Villarreal and it was a quiet begin to life in north London. In his transient touches on the ball, Gyokeres managed two pictures. One blocked, one saved.

It was barely underwhelming, a minor anti-climax. However Arteta noticed promising indicators.

“He’s been with us only a week or so,” stated the Arsenal supervisor after the sport. “But I already saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking in certain spaces.”

Gyokeres attacked the field not like any Arsenal centre ahead within the present period. It took the Swede simply 30 seconds to tug away into the left channel, take the ball into the field and cross. There was an undesirable tap-in on provide.

Arsenal have a centre ahead in Kai Havertz who tends to maneuver to the fitting channel to hyperlink up with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. The Gunners have a special possibility in Gyokeres for a special flank.

Then there was a second late within the first half, when Gyokeres stood up two defenders and barged by each of them. Once more, he pulled the ball again for a cross, however no person was there.

It brings us properly onto the following key function of Gyokeres’ sport: being throughout the width of the posts.

Previously, Arsenal have had choices like Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and are available for the ball, and whereas there was a little bit of that with Gyokeres, his need to remain on the final line and anticipate possibilities within the field was clear.

Saka managed to beat his reverse man on two or three events within the first half, with Gyokeres in place from shut vary to choose up on any scraps. He almost acquired on one within the opening interval, however as an alternative whacked the ball into Christian Norgaard on the stretch.

Then got here his second within the second half. Gyokeres was performed by to the fitting of the field and had a decent angle, however nonetheless pressured a strong save from Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior.

It was an assault by the center of the pitch – Arsenal ranked twentieth out of all Premier League groups in that statistic final season. It was additionally a curved run in behind – as an alternative of a link-up assault that Havertz is used to – that opened up a cussed defence.

It ended up being Gyokeres’ final motion of the sport, with him substituted on the hour mark. It’s clear that the Swedish striker nonetheless has some health to make amends for.

“I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team,” stated Arteta.

“His fitness level, I think he hasn’t trained really with a team for two months, so he’s done now five or six sessions, I think, before today. So, on Saturday [against Athletic Club], I think he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.”

Arsenal’s plan over the following 10 days or so is to organize their new striker for that Premier League opener towards Manchester United, dwell on Sky Sports activities. “I hope days,” Arteta stated about how lengthy it should take Gyokeres to rise up to hurry.

Gyokeres nonetheless has a couple of hurdles to undergo. His first 90 minutes, but additionally a primary match with Martin Odegaard behind him.

“Every day in training, I think he’s getting a really good feeling,” added Arteta. “I think he’s built connections as well outside [the pitch], which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to be in the position that he needs to get in.”

And can he be prepared for the journey to Previous Trafford? “I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, it will be 100 per cent or more,” added the Arsenal boss. “Because he’s so willing and so confident as well that he can deliver straight away.

“I’ve little question that he will likely be in a extremely good place.”

And how about Max Dowman?

Alongside Gyokeres was the spectacular Max Dowman, who as soon as once more solidified himself as one of the vital gifted youngsters within the sport.

Identical to towards Newcastle in Singapore, the 15-year-old got here off the bench and confirmed the fearlessness of a participant twice his age. Identical to towards Newcastle, it was one very good solo run too many for the Villarreal defenders, who needed to convey him down for a penalty.

Dowman’s industrious operating was epitomised by the statistic that he tried 4 instances as many dribbles as Saka towards Villarreal, in only a third of the time.

“He continues to impress, without a doubt. The impact he had in the game again today, the efficiency that he shows in every attack and action, it’s incredible,” stated Arteta.

“Again, he deserves to have chances, and if he continues like this, let’s see what happens.”

Dowman is changing into a phenomenon to English audiences, however to his Arsenal team-mates, it’s nothing new. Even final season, the then-14-year-old was coaching with Arteta’s first group however was not allowed to play within the Premier League or the Champions League as a result of age guidelines.

“With Max it’s been so fast,” added Arteta. “Even last year, when he was training with us, he was doing this kind of thing in training and now he’s doing it in the game consistently.

“So the three or 4 video games that he is performed, he is managed to influence and have massive moments within the sport. Nice.”

Many believe Dowman’s competitive debut will come this season, at the same age that Ethan Nwaneri made his professional bow back in 2022. While Dowman cannot feature in Europe until New Year’s Day – as players must be 16 or over to feature in the Champions League – he now has permission to play in the Premier League.

But for those expecting Dowman to turn up at Old Trafford and continue the show, Arteta has put a pin in that idea. Firstly, Nwaneri spent two seasons with the U21s before becoming a first-team regular. But for Dowman, he needs a small break first.

“Let’s have a look at the way it goes,” said Arteta about first-team minutes. “Let’s go into Saturday, into the break as effectively. He wants somewhat break as a result of he hasn’t had any holidays actually.

“He’s going to have a break, which I think he needs. And then, following the week, he’ll be ready again to go.”

Sky Sports activities to indicate 215 dwell PL video games from this season

From this season, Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection will improve from 128 matches to no less than 215 video games solely dwell.

And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League video games this season are on Sky Sports activities.