Mikel Arteta’s one tactical tweak to facilitate Viktor Gyökeres

Mikel Arteta has been preparing for Viktor Gyökeres’ arrival since training resumed in July, making one clear tactical tweak.

After a long-winded transfer saga which involved legal issues, Arsenal finally completed the signing of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres last week.

The Swede was reportedly pushed by Andrea Berta initially, before Mikel Arteta subscribed to the idea, having previously preferred RB Leipzig talent, Benjamin Šeško.

After the deal was finally complete, and he signed his contract at Sobha Realty Training Centre, the striker was accompanied by the sporting director when flying to join his new team-mates during the Asia pre-season tour. Just hours after landing, he received a warm welcome when he was unveiled to fans on the pitch before kick-off against Newcastle United in Singapore.

Arteta wasted no time in adapting his tactical approach to accommodate star signing Viktor Gyökeres, with The Athletic reporting that the Spaniard began working on making his side more direct and vertical back when training resumed in July.

The Swedish striker’s arrival for £63.8 million from Sporting CP represents a significant shift in Arsenal’s attacking philosophy. Unlike Kai Havertz, who prefers to drop deep and link play, Gyökeres excels at making runs in behind and stretching opposition defences with his pace and physicality.

It is yet to be seen how minutes will be shared between Arsenal’s two main strikers next season, while there is also the possibility of both Havertz and Gyökeres partnering to lead the line together.

Gyökeres’ record of 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting demonstrates his decisive clinical finishing ability when presented with clear-cut chances, but critics question if this ability can be replicated to the same extent in the Premier League.

Before this summer, the only attackers north of €50million that Arsenal had welcomed under Mikel Arteta was Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus. However, in somewhat of an attacking rework, the Gunners have already seen both Gyökeres and Noni Madueke put pen to paper this summer, with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze also a concrete target.

The Gunners face Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates in the next week, before travelling to Old Trafford for their Premier League opener against Manchester United on the following weekend.