Gyokeres Instructed to Tackle Weighty Concerns
Viktor Gyokeres has been told he must “get lighter” if he is to succeed with Arsenal in the English Premier League, after concerns over his fitness dominated the early weeks of his £63.5 million move from Sporting CP.
The 27-year-old Sweden international arrived in North London in mid-August following a prolific spell in Portugal. However, a disrupted pre-season and a sluggish debut in Hong Kong led to early questions about his conditioning, with some observers noting he looked “a little heavy”.
Gyokeres appeared to be finding his rhythm when he scored in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Burnley, only to be forced off with a muscle issue that has since ruled him out of Sweden’s international fixtures. Coach Mikel Arteta admitted concern, describing the star striker as “very explosive” and in need of further assessment.
Former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz believes Gyokeres’ challenges are both physical and mental. He argues the striker is “not fully fit yet” and is carrying the fatigue of adjusting to a new system, expectations and new teammates. Schwarz maintains that Gyokeres is a strong long-term fit for the club, but insists improved sharpness – and trimming centimetres off his waistline – will be key.
Arsenal hope he recovers in time for the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, 23 November.
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