Arsenal and Liverpool: What is missing for Viktor Gyokeres and Florian Wirtz to deliver more?
The arrivals of Viktor Gyokerres and Florian Wirtz at the Premier League were two of the major sagas of world football in the last transfer window. Arsenal and Liverpool celebrated their signatures which, on paper, would raise the level of the team. The beginning, however, was quieter than expected for the pair.
Arrivals of Viktor Gyokerres And Florian Wirtz At the Premier League, there were two of the major sagas of world football in the last transfer window. Arsenal And Liverpool celebrated their signatures which, on paper, would breed the level of the team.
The beginning, however, was quieter than expected for the pair. The former sports player, one of the great scorers in the world, experienced a shy departure without great opportunities. The German maestro had difficulty imposing his game on the Reds and even found himself on the bench. For what?
Despite the various leagues compared to England, it was planned that the importance of their former clubs will translate more quickly. But, right now, what is missing for Gyokerres and Wirtz to deliver their full potential to their clubs?
Gyokerers needs an increasingly rare space
Gyokerers have scored three goals in seven matches for Arsenal so far – all in the Premier League. Given the fact that there are three balls in the net in five rounds in the championship, this is not a bad average.
The problem is that the Swedish comes from two seasons of absurd figures, with more involvement in the objectives than matches for sport. And despite being the mortal central center that the artillerymen needed, there remains the feeling that he could make even more.
The problem of Gyokerers at the moment is something similar to what Haaland had to live since the start of Manchester City: little involvement in the game as a whole. He is the player with the least touches of the ball among the starters of Arsenal who played at least 45 minutes in the matches in which the Swedish was on the field.
On the other hand, it was planned. Arsenal controls the game in a more measured way than their rivals and even the exaggerated domination of the city did not prevent Haaland from breaking records. However, number 14 has had three games so far without a single blow – all against its competitors, in particular: Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City.
At Sporting, Gyokerres was the player who constantly attacked the back of the defense, whatever the space he had. In the Premier League, there are less meters to run, and with a team without Odegaard and Saka during the recent towers, the ball has reached the central center less frequently.
In addition, when he manages to escape pressure and accelerate accumulation, Arsenal tends to take the ball into the sides so that their wingers can create in head-to-head situations, and little to use the central corridor-where is gyker. The central front also makes diagonal races behind the defense to be an in -depth option, but loses the angle if it receives.
Mikel Arteta tried to change to integrate into the Swedish. So much so that Arsenal was more direct and vertical than normal in the current season: their long number of passes has increased and the team’s tactical diversity is also greater.
Against Manchester United, for example, the Gunners had a direct attack speed of 1.9 meters per second, a very high number compared to past seasons. But against Leeds, who defends much lower, the speed fell to 0.6 meters per second.
The absence of creators in recent matches, different approaches depending on the opponent and less space are problems with which Gyoker was confronted at the start of his trajectory in Arsenal. On the other hand, all are situations that can and change, which is encouraging for the center-forward, Arteta and the supporters.
Wirtz: the creative midfielder who has more impact on the ball than with him
The situation of Wirtz, on the other hand, is more complex. The German is an extremely creative and skillful midfielder who has become important in a fluid system with two numbers 10, wingers who have constantly attacked depth and a physical center – but who also had good times as false 9.
In Liverpool, the impression is that Slot Arne has not yet found the best place for Wirtz, who played as a midfielder, left winger and attacking in the Reds 4-2-3-1. There have been moments of good affair and understanding of spaces with and without the ball.
Against Newcastle, for example, with the aim of Gravenberch, the midfielder attacks the space between the lines to receive inside the unmarked area. He does not receive, but draws Jelinton, who does not support the Liverpool midfielder and opens space for a shot that ends with a goal.
According to data collected by Sky SportsWirtz is the Premier League player with most high -speed races (59, nine more than second place, Bryan Mbeumo). It shows that there are a lot to do without the ball.
The beginnings against Bournemouth were a clear example. With less than five minutes, the German has left position number 10 in the middle to open widely, pulling his marker with him and opening the space for Mac Allister readers or passing windows to find Ekitike. Then he quickly infiltrated the area when the ball reached the wingers to be a finishing option.
The number seven has generated more danger without the ball than with him, which contrasts with his style of play: a skillful midfielder who dominates matches with dribbles and passes. But if this has not yet been present – perhaps due to the adaptation to the physicity of the league – there is still an impact in another way.
Of course, Wirtz did not have an impact directly with objectives and assists as in his Bayer Leverkusen days, but the reasons why the Reds have signed it are gradually shown.