Arsenal have made an impressive start to the season, winning eight of their opening 10 games, but it has not been quite as easy for new striker Viktor Gyokeres.
After three goals in his first four matches, the £64m signing has not scored for six matches, with manager Mikel Arteta saying he gave the Sweden forward a hug after Saturday’s 2-0 win over West Ham for his efforts.
Gyokeres has played 90 minutes in six of Arsenal’s opening 10 matches – more than Arteta planned for, with the knee injury to Kai Havertz restricting the ability the manager has to rotate the 27-year-old.
Havertz is one of Arteta’s most trusted players and there is an argument to be had that the German would have started instead of Gyokeres in big away matches against Liverpool – the Gunners’ only defeat of the season – Newcastle United and Manchester United, which they won.
There is also the fact Gyokeres did not have a full pre-season before joining, and missed team training at Sporting as he looked to force through a move to north London.
