Theo Walcott issues ‘sloppy’ Viktor Gyokeres verdict and says Arsenal don’t know how to use him

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Viktor Gyokeres was one of several disappointing performers for Arsenal during their 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Owing to Kai Havertz’s absence, Viktor Gyokeres once again played the full 90 minutes for Arsenal.

Without Havertz available, Mikel Arteta only has Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard as makeshift alternatives to Gyokeres – neither of which are ideal when facing a team of City’s quality.

Therefore, Arteta stuck with Gyokeres as his number nine, even though the Swede was failing to make an impact against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Guardiola was impressed with Arsenal as a whole, but Gyokeres wasn’t quite able to match his Norwegian counterpart, who managed to make Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba look slow when scoring.

Theo Walcott wasn’t impressed by Viktor Gyokeres’ first touch for Arsenal

That being said, Theo Walcott discussed Gyokeres’ performance on Match of the Day, a performance he wasn’t entirely convinced by.

Walcott recognised that Gyokeres’ first touch wasn’t helping him get the better of City’s defence, a display he labelled as ‘sloppy’.

READ MORE: Riccardo Calafiori reveals what Mikel Arteta said at half-time whilst Arsenal were losing to Man City

Walcott said: “They’ll go long quite often and that led to nothing, that was a general pattern in the flow of Arsenal. 

“The first touch, Gyokeres, not quite happening for him today. Again, it was – it’s more the fact it was just a little bit sloppy.”

He continued: “I think he’s a player who likes to go into space, but clearly there wasn’t much space to go into today and they are not playing to his strengths in the big games, when Arsenal actually have more of the possession, I don’t think it actually gives Gyokeres his main gifts.

“It’s not about possession, it’s more about counter-attacking play for me.”

Kai Havertz will still start in the biggest games for Arsenal

Although Gyokeres is still in early stages of his Arsenal career, it’s perhaps already clear why Havertz will continue to start games against the likes of Man City and Liverpool.

Gyokeres will be crucial during the season – Arsenal need two strikers and games away to Newcastle United next weekend for example might suit the Swede better.

But before the season started, TBR Football shared that Havertz was still key to Arsenal’s plans despite signing Gyokeres, and it’s clear to see why.

Havertz has a different skill-set to his new strike partner, and he is more delicate and adept at linking the play in midfield, or even holding the ball up.

Gyokeres didn’t come in to replace Havertz, he came in to complement the former Chelsea striker, and it’s clear that he can do that.

But Gyokeres isn’t a striker for every occasion, even if he will score a lot of goals wearing the #14 shirt.