Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after a 1-0 win at Fulham, but one of their stars has still been criticised in the aftermath of their latest victory
Viktor Gyokeres’ goal drought continued against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)
Despite maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League, Arsenal’s stars didn’t escape criticism following their victory over Fulham.
Viktor Gyokeres, in particular, came under fire after failing to score in yet another match for the Gunners – extending his goal drought to seven games in all competitions. The Swedish striker has been bluntly told how he currently falls short when compared to the world’s top forwards.
His honesty may be a hindrance, as Gyokeres shouldered the blame for Arsenal missing out on a penalty at Craven Cottage. Leandro Trossard scored the only goal in west London and seized the chance to respond to a certain critic.
Here’s all the latest news from the Emirates Stadium as the Premier League leaders continue their winning streak.
Gyokeres ‘far from’ matching elite forwards
Viktor Gyokeres during an Arsenal game(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Three goals from his first 11 matches at Arsenal wasn’t the return fans expected after Gyokeres’ summer arrival. Alan Shearer criticised the struggling forward after another goalless performance against Fulham this weekend, reports the Mirror.
The Newcastle legend appeared on Match of the Day, where viewers were shown examples of the finishing skills of top strikers Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe. Having failed to make an immediate impact like these players after big transfers, Gyokeres’ lack of goals so far this season was highlighted.
“He’s not in the league of the three we showed in the previous clip [Haaland, Kane and Mbappe], far from that,” declared the Premier League’s all-time leading marksman.
“But I think he brings a different strength, there’s no doubt that he will have to improve his goalscoring, as you said, he’s only got three.”
That strike ratio appears even more concerning given that two of Gyokeres’ goals for Arsenal came in a 5-0 thrashing of newly-promoted Leeds. Shearer did identify some positives in Gyokeres’ performances, though, highlighting how he’s managed to create opportunities for his teammates.
“But one of his strengths which has suited Arsenal is he actually goes in behind,” he added. “When he does that it creates space for others to play because last season you had [Kai] Havertz or [Mikel] Merino coming short and that’s easier for teams to defend against.
“When you’re running the other way they get deeper and deeper and that then opens up space for others to play. I think from that point of view he has improved Arsenal.”
Trossard set-piece dig at Neville
Leandro Trossard scored the winner for Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
One aspect of Arsenal’s game that has evolved throughout Arteta’s reign is the significant focus on set-pieces. The Gunners have regularly featured amongst the Premier League’s most dangerous set-piece teams in recent seasons and are leading the charts once more this campaign.
Thanks to Trossard’s clever finish from a corner against Fulham, Arsenal are tied with Chelsea for the most set-piece goals this season. However, Gary Neville believes that the emphasis on dead-ball situations has taken away some of Arsenal’s flair in open play.
“Arsenal have become quite rigid, they’ve become quite turgid at times to watch,” said the Sky Sports pundit after Arsenal lost 1-0 at home to West Ham in February. “This obsession with set-pieces, which was overtaking their whole game – exacerbated by this presence of their set-piece coach on the touchline which puts more focus on set-pieces. It’s like…no. The freedom’s gone a little bit from them.”
Arsenal won’t be too concerned about how their goals are scored, as long as they secure the win. And Trossard couldn’t resist taking a cheeky dig at Neville following their latest set-piece triumph.
The Belgian star took to social media after Saturday’s victory and posted a picture of himself celebrating with the caption: “Everyone loves a good set-piece, right? [winking emoji].”
The victory in west London ensures Arsenal will stay top of the Premier League for at least another week. And Trossard seems ready to respond to the club’s critics with performances on the pitch as the Gunners aim to end their title drought.
Gyokeres faces more criticism
Viktor Gyokeres has gone seven Arsenal games without a goal contribution(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Gyokeres could have broken his drought had he been a touch more cunning during the clash with Fulham, according to ex-Premier League official and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett.
The striker found himself bearing down on Bernd Leno’s goal when it seemed his ankle was caught by a challenge. Yet instead of hitting the deck in pursuit of a spot-kick, he stayed upright while trying to convert the opportunity.
Hackett reckons that tumbling under the contact would have heaped additional pressure on referee Anthony Taylor to contemplate awarding a penalty. While the forward earned credit for his honest approach, the former match official pointed out how such integrity nearly backfired on his side.
“Anthony Taylor was in an excellent position,” he told Football Insider. “Frankly, the player not going to ground was the foundation of Taylor not recognising the foul.
“Clearly, if the player had immediately gone to ground, Taylor, I think, would have been pointing to the penalty spot. Arsenal were unlucky not to get a penalty kick.”
