Darren Bent says Arsenal must fix glaring Viktor Gyokeres issue now worsened by Kai Havertz injury

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Arsenal spent several months working on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta – Director of Football at the Emirates Stadium – presumably considered several details, including how the Swede would fit into the tactical system at Arsenal.

However, the 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Premier League opener saw Viktor Gyokeres struggle to get involved, making just four passes and failing to record a shot in 60 minutes.

Darren Bent has now told Arsenal what they must do to help the Sweden international – who finds himself with added responsibility after Kai Havertz suffered a knee injury.

Darren Bent says Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard need to change for Viktor Gyokeres

The man born in Tooting – who supports the Gunners – believes Arsenal are currently set up to suit a striker who drops deep like Havertz, and that must change if Gyokeres is to thrive given his tendency to run in behind.

Bent told talkSPORT: “Arteta is so used to playing Havertz as a back-to-goal centre-forward. He comes off with lovely little touches, he can spin in behind, but his first option is always to come to feet, hold the ball, and pick out runs.

“Now you’ve got Viktor Gyokeres. As soon as there’s any possession in midfield, he’s on the shoulder, spinning in behind. That relationship with Odegaard will take time because they’re not used to playing that way.

“So what do you do then? The (system) might suit Havertz more in terms of how he plays, but by taking him (Gyokeres) off after 60 minutes, you’re appeasing everyone else, effectively saying, “Well, he wasn’t good enough, so I’m taking him out.” So do you play him again? Stick with him?

“It’s about relationships. Building them doesn’t happen overnight. Gyokeres has to develop rapport with Odegaard, Saka, and Martinelli. The way he pulls into space – as you mentioned – requires the intelligence of Martinelli or Saka. If he does that, they’ve got to be the ones running in behind, and that will help him flourish.”

Strangely, Arsenal did almost seem surprised by how Gyokeres, who Benjamin Sesko outshone, operated on Sunday at Old Trafford, failing to pick the 27-year-old out on several occasions despite some smart runs from the £64m man.

Arsenal fans even blamed Odegaard for the Stockholm-born striker’s quiet debut.

Kai Havertz injury sounds like a concerning one for Arsenal

It is too early to tell how serious the knee injury to Havertz is, although The Athletic do not provide much encouragement.

They believe Arsenal are now actively exploring the transfer market to find a solution, which suggests Arteta is expecting to be without the Germany international for several games – at least.

Gabriel Jesus would have been an option to step in, although the Brazilian himself is still recovering from a serious knee injury and is not expected to return any time soon.