Aliadiere: Gyokeres 'didn't get the credit he deserved' at Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres did not receive the credit he deserved during his first season at Arsenal, according to former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere, who also believes the club does not need a striker capable of scoring 30 goals a year.
Gyokeres joined from Sporting CP last summer in a £64million deal and went on to finish as Arsenal's top scorer, netting 21 goals across all competitions as the club won its first Premier League title in 22 years and reached both the Champions League final and the Carabao Cup final.
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Despite that return, the Swede faced criticism from sections of the fanbase throughout the campaign. Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka finished the season as Arsenal's next highest scorers with 11 goals apiece, while Kai Havertz managed seven in a season disrupted by injury.
Aliadiere defends Gyokeres' output
Speaking to Betway, Aliadiere argued that Arsenal's style of play, built around wide areas and wingers, does not necessarily suit a traditional, high volume goalscorer.
"It's tough because you think to be successful, you need a striker to go and get you 30 goals, but Arsenal proved last season that that's not the case," Aliadiere said. "Havertz has started the season well for me, and I just think Arsenal's style of play, getting the ball out wide and utilising the wingers, might not suit that type of striker that fans are calling for. It was great to see Gyokeres back at the weekend, and he scored some important goals last year and probably didn't get the credit he deserved."
Gyokeres has not started a Premier League match for Arsenal so far this season, though Aliadiere's comments reference his recent return to action at the weekend.
Concerns over left side of attack
Aliadiere, who was part of Arsenal's Invincibles squad in 2003/04, praised Mikel Arteta for retaining the core of the title winning squad over the summer, but admitted the departures of Leandro Trossard and Martinelli on the left side of attack are a concern.
"I think it was great that Mikel managed to keep hold of his best players this summer, because when you're successful, there's always going to be clubs wanting to sign your star players," he said. "Keeping the core of that squad was important, but I do think losing both Trossard and Martinelli on that left hand side wasn't ideal. I know there were rumours of Vinicius Junior signing, which would have been amazing, but I do feel we might be a bit short in that area of the pitch."
He added that it is difficult to strengthen as champions without simply adding players for the sake of it. "It's hard when you're champions, though, because you don't want to sign somebody for the sake of it, you really want to add quality to the group and add players that are going to take you to the next level," Aliadiere said.
Arteta's attacking options will continue to be scrutinised as the season progresses, with Gyokeres' role and the balance of the left flank likely to remain talking points among supporters and pundits alike.
