Gyokeres faces the difficult task of trying to flourish in a new league – where the standard is generally higher than where he excelled last season – and in a team that plays a different style.
But he cannot be wholly excused from blame for his poor output. Arsenal have played 68 through-balls this season – the most of any team in the Premier League.
It suggests a deliberate ploy to get the most out of their new striker.
But with well-organised, athletic Premier League defences able to recover quickly, Gyokeres is often forced to recycle the ball rather than be able to have an attempt on goal, as he so often did at Sporting from those positions.
So, even when Arsenal have played more directly, Gyokeres’ opportunities to threaten the goal have been reduced.
