Arsenal moved to the Premier League summit on Christmas Eve after a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park. The decisive moment came from the penalty spot, where summer signing Viktor Gyokeres converted to end his personal goal drought and secure three points for Mikel Arteta's side.
Gyokeres Ends Drought But Doubts Remain
The £55 million striker, signed from Sporting CP, scored his first league goal since early November from 12 yards after being handed responsibility by captain Martin Odegaard. The goal was his seventh in 20 appearances for the Gunners, a modest return for a player who netted 54 times in all competitions last season. Manager Mikel Arteta praised the collective decision to let Gyokeres take the kick, stating it was a move designed to boost the forward's confidence.
Despite the match-winning contribution, Gyokeres' overall performance drew mixed reviews. The Standard rated him a 7/10, noting his "good runs in behind" but also pointing out he "still needs to be stronger in holding up the ball."
Redknapp's Verdict: 'A Struggle' for the Swedish Striker
Former Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp offered a more critical assessment during Sky Sports' coverage. While acknowledging the importance of the goal, Redknapp expressed significant concerns about the Swede's adaptation to English football.
"He did okay. It's a struggle for him at the moment, I think he's finding it hard up there," Redknapp stated. "For whatever reason... it looks like he's really struggling with the physicality of it, considering he's a big guy. I very rarely see him win a duel."
Redknapp elaborated that Gyokeres' technical play and link-up have not met the required standard, suggesting he is a "battering ram" whose primary job is to score decisive goals. "Yes, he won you the game but with a penalty. You want to see him winning games with really important goals that are going to make a difference in the big games," he concluded.
Sturridge Suggests Tactical Mismatch at Arsenal
Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also weighed in, proposing that Arsenal's system might not be perfectly suited to Gyokeres' strengths. He argued that the Swede needs to be the undisputed focal point of the attack to thrive.
"His style, does it fit what they are doing?" Sturridge questioned. "He needs to be fed and be the main man. His type of striker, you need to play for them... He needs to be the focal point." This analysis hints at a potential tension between Gyokeres' need for service and Arsenal's tendency to share goalscoring duties across their forward line.
The win leaves Arsenal top of the table as the festive fixtures continue, but the debate over their record signing's long-term suitability shows no sign of abating. All eyes will be on Gyokeres to see if his Everton penalty proves a true turning point or merely a temporary reprieve from the critics.
