Graham Potter has launched a staunch defence of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as he prepared to make his World Cup bow. The Sweden international ended his maiden season in English football with a creditable 21 goals in all competitions following his £63million move from Sporting Lisbon.
Gyokeres Faces Scrutiny Despite Goals
Despite that respectable total, the 28-year-old failed to convince everyone he had solved Mikel Arteta’s long search for a goalscorer capable of finally filling the void created when he sanctioned the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Indeed, by the end of Arsenal’s first title-winning campaign in 22 years, Gyokeres had found himself largely playing second fiddle to Kai Havertz who started in both the Carabao Cup and Champions League finals.
Potter Backs His Striker
With Arsenal heavily linked with further attacking reinforcements this summer, Gyokeres will likely face another battle to reassert himself as the club’s main centre forward. For his country, however, Gyokeres remains an integral part of Potter’s plans, even if he can’t guarantee he will be able to fit both he and Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak in the same team.
Speaking ahead of Sweden’s World Cup opener against Tunisia on Monday, the former West Ham and Chelsea manager said: ‘He’s obviously had a fantastic season. We want to use him to his best, try and get the most out of him. Because if we do, then he gives us a chance to win football matches. That’s for sure.’
Gyokeres has already proven his worth to Potter on several occasions, most notably with his play-off hat-trick against Ukraine before scoring the goal that secured World Cup qualification against Poland. Whether the team will be geared up to get the best out their divisive striker, particularly with Isak back to full fitness, however, remains to be seen.
Team Balance Key
Potter added: ‘You want to ask all the players to do things that they’re good at and play to their strengths and show their quality. If we get our players showing their qualities, then I think we’ve got a good chance to win football matches.’
Asked whether his two star forwards could function together in the same starting XI, he added: ‘The team is the biggest strength. Of course, within the team, there are individuals that, if we can get them to play to their highest level, they can make the difference for us. But if we just put Victor and Alex out there and there isn’t a functioning team behind them, it isn’t easy to win football matches.’
