Opinion: Should Arsenal reshape their system to suit Gyokeres?

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·30 September 2026

Opinion: Should Arsenal reshape their system to suit Gyokeres?

With two goals in two matches for Sweden, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the possibility that Viktor Gyokeres is struggling at Arsenal because of the system used by the Gunners.

After losing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mikel Arteta designed his team not to rely on one player for goals. However, that approach has arguably resulted in Arsenal relying on no single player to lead their attack. They won the league last season without depending on one prolific scorer, despite spending heavily to sign Gyokeres at the start of the campaign.

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Arsenal continue to regard the Swede as their main striker and believe he has the ability to succeed at the Emirates. However, he has returned to the bench this season and is now behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order.

Gyokeres Needs Better Support

For a long time, it has been clear that Havertz is better suited to Arsenal’s system. However, Arsenal must question whether they should adapt their approach to suit a major signing such as Gyokeres.

What is the point of adding him to the squad if the team is unwilling to make changes that allow it to benefit from his strengths? Gyokeres established himself in Portugal by playing in a system that maximised his movement, positioning and finishing, but Arsenal have not yet created the same conditions.

His two goals in two matches for Sweden have highlighted the contrast between his international form and his performances for the Gunners. The striker still possesses the quality that made him such an attractive signing, but he needs greater support from the structure around him.

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal Must Adapt

Gyokeres has received much of the blame for failing to replicate his Portuguese form at the Emirates. However, the problem may not be entirely his own. Sporting’s team was built around him, whereas he is still trying to find his place in an Arsenal side that has not fully adapted to his style.

That should not be happening after such a significant investment. Arsenal must decide whether they want Gyokeres to fit into their existing system or whether they are prepared to make adjustments that bring out his best qualities. If they choose the latter, the Swedish striker could yet prove why they signed him.

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