How fit-again Martin Odegaard can help Viktor Gyokeres spark Arsenal career against West Ham | OneFootball

Facing the Hammers’ leaky defence, the Swede will hope his growing understanding with his captain will finally click

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When Viktor Gyokeres landed at Luton Airport in the summer to complete his move to Arsenal, he was greeted by a bear hug from the club’s sporting director Andrea Berta.

Berta handed Gyokeres a gift box, and inside it was a letter from Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Gyokeres’ reply, with a grin, was: “Some assists would be nice!”

Odegaard is yet to fulfil the Swede’s wish — but there is a growing sense that it will not be long.

The pair have started just four games together this season because Odegaard has been troubled by a shoulder injury.

“We haven’t seen enough for different circumstances, especially because Martin hasn’t been available much this season for different reasons, but there is something as well,” said Mikel Arteta.

“They have that personal chemistry and hopefully with more time on the pitch and more understanding, that will flourish as well.”

Arteta will hope that West Ham on Saturday is the moment Gyokeres and Odegaard’s partnership begins to blossom.

The Hammers have conceded 14 goals in six league games, the worst record in the division, and even with the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo, the Gunners will expect to get at their defence.

Gyokeres will be desperate to score after five games without a goal and you could sense that on Wednesday night.

One chance in particular he lashed over the crossbar — the kind he would normally bury.

Blossoming partnership: Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arteta described Gyokeres’ performance as “exceptional”, highlighting his all-round game, but the Swede will have been frustrated at drawing a blank.

Goals are what earned him his big move to Arsenal this summer and he never went this long without a goal during his two years at Sporting.

Gyokeres’ adaption to Arsenal has been steady so far, with three goals in nine games, but it could easily accelerate with Odegaard in the team.

No player is better equipped to pick out the Swede when he makes those runs in behind, especially as Arteta has stressed this week the freedom his captain will have on the pitch.

“I think you have to create a system and a structure around the qualities of the players and with our attacking players especially, we try to do that,” he said.

“With Martin, it’s very clear that we want the ball in certain areas with him because when he’s able to do that, he’s a real threat.”

No player is better equipped than Odegaard to pick out the Swede when he makes those runs in behind.

Odegaard should start alongside Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze for the first time, giving Gyokeres even more service.

It also represents a daunting prospect for West Ham — who are not only leaking goals from open play, but are the worst team in the league at defending set-pieces.

They have conceded eight goals in six games from them, twice as many as the next-worst team. Arsenal, unsurprisingly, are the best from set-pieces, with their tally of seven goals three better than anyone else.

“It can become a psychological issue, but we will try to avoid it,” said Nuno.

“The worst thing that can happen is that if an opponent gets a corner, we start immediately thinking that we are in trouble.

“It’s not the mindset. That can happen. It can become a trauma.”

For Arsenal, though, the bigger story on Saturday may not be corners at all, but whether their captain and their new striker can finally click.

The hope is that Odegaard starts supplying and Gyokeres starts delivering.