Jermaine Jenas says Viktor Gyokeres has a brilliant trait at Arsenal that goes ‘unnoticed’

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Viktor Gyokeres has experienced a topsy-turvy start to life at Arsenal.

A quiet debut at Old Trafford saw the Swede criticised, before three goals in his next three Premier League appearances followed to relieve the pressure.

However, the Arsenal No.14 is now on a run of five games without a goal in all competitions, but Jermaine Jenas has defended Viktor Gyokeres by highlighting an “unnoticed” trait he offers under Mikel Arteta.

Jermaine Jenas praises Viktor Gyokeres for his outstanding movement

Speaking on the Wildcards podcast with Jermaine Pennant, the 42-year-old said: “When you watch Gyokeres, right, he makes certain runs and he’s in certain positions on the football pitch that Arsenal have not had for a number of years. Sometimes when fans are watching the game or anybody at home that’s watching Arsenal… what they’re not seeing is all the runs that go unnoticed.

“So when that ball comes flashing across the box, he’s there for the tap-ins. They’ve not had a tap-in man for as long as I can remember.”

Gyokeres bagged a tap-in during a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest recently after a fine assist from Eberechi Eze, but has proven himself to be far more than just a goalhanger.

For example, the Sweden international ran from the halfway line to score the first of his two goals in a recent 5-0 win over Leeds United, beating the offside trap before cutting inside and finishing clinically.

There are many strings to the 27-year-old’s bow, hence why Arsenal spent £64m to sign him from Sporting CP in July.

One reason why Viktor Gyokeres could soon become even better

Competition for places naturally makes players improve, as Arsenal fans noticed with Martin Odegaard following the arrival of Eze.

Gabriel Martinelli has also found a new gear since Noni Madueke was signed from Chelsea.

Currently, Gyokeres has little threat for his starting role with Kai Havertz expected to be sidelined until late November.

However, once the German returns to action, he will be pushing the Sweden international, which could motivate him to deliver even better performances in a bid to keep his spot.

Jamie Carragher already thinks Arteta will pick Havertz when he returns to full fitness, so the pressure is on Gyokeres to keep the Arsenal No.29 out of the team.