Mark Clattenburg shares theory on why Viktor Gyokeres is struggling with Premier League referees

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Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has been adjusting to the Premier League, following his transfer switch from Sporting CP in the summer.

The forward has shown signs of quality, with three league goals to his name and a few battling performances too.

While those are positive areas, there are moments in games where Viktor Gyokeres simply hasn’t settled.

Sometimes it’s the split-second of reaction time that is needed in the Premier League that isn’t elsewhere.

At other times, it has been how the Arsenal man is officiated, with some frustrations particularly boiling over small incidents in the clash with Newcastle.

While questions have arisen over the way Gyokeres has been dealt with, former referee Mark Clattenburg has revealed his theory on those struggles.

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Mark Clattenburg believes players must adjust to Premier League officiating

Officiating in the Premier League can often be very different to other leagues in Europe, and even the EFL pyramid.

That is certainly something that is impacting Gyokeres since his transfer to Arsenal.

The striker may have felt aggrieved in some moments not to be awarded more decisions, not least in a match with Newcastle that saw a penalty overturned against him, as well as a flashpoint with Jamaal Lascelles.

It has led to some fans questioning whether the striker is officiated differently due to his physicality and strength.

But for Mark Clattenburg, that isn’t the case, as he said to TBR Football: “From my experience and watching since I retired, big players do not get refereed differently.

“Of course, it’s natural for the big-name players to be tactically marked, which could create physical duels which the referee will have to deal with.

“The Premier League has always been a physical league compared to other leagues around the world, and referees allow more physical contact, which players have to learn very quickly and adapt.”

It certainly suggests that referees don’t officiate these players differently, with Gyokeres needing to get used to the changes in physicality in the Premier League.

The striker is likely to gain a lot of attention, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the rest of the team to find space of their own.

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Mikel Arteta is helping Viktor Gyokeres through an early Arsenal spell

There is a suggestion that Gyokeres may not have started the season as the first-choice number nine had Kai Havertz been fit.

However, that is exactly what has happened for Arsenal, which means a period of adjustment for the star.

While goals haven’t exactly flowed yet, Mikel Arteta has outlined how impressed he is with Gyokeres regardless.

He told the press earlier this month: “What I sense is that he’s doing better and better things every game, and today he was denied a few times on one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional.

“Again, his work was really good, and yeah, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn’t do that, at least to do everything as he’s doing for the team, because he’s helping the team a lot.”

Given the way Gyokeres gets back up after every bump he takes, he certainly seems ready to take on the physical toll of playing in the division, regardless of how much protection he gets from referees.