Former Arsenal midfielder explains why Gyokeres is struggling

Former Arsenal midfielder Stefan Schwarz attempted to diagnose Viktor Gyokeres’s struggles at the club, opining that the Sweden international needed to lose weight to compete. 

Gyokeres joined the Gunners in the summer for a reported €63.5 million transfer fee. The former Sporting CP man was joining an Arsenal side that came second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons and was expected to be the goalscoring force that would propel them to glory, finally. 

While Arsenal are the current leaders of the division, four points above second-placed Manchester City, Gyokeres has been underwhelming. He has only managed four goals in 10 EPL starts, which came in three matches, and per the eye test, he has looked ungainly. 

Schwarz, a former Sweden international, who also played for the Gunners, explained that Gyokeres was not match fit, mentally prepared or light enough to compete.

"I believe with Viktor Gyokeres, he's not fully fit yet, he told  Hajper "As well with the new system, new manager, and new teammates, it takes time to develop the understanding. I

“t's not just the physical part of it, it's the mental part as well. Mental tiredness may be from adapting to a new club, new expectations, and higher expectations from supporters around the whole world. But it's a good partnership (Gyokeres and Arsenal). And hopefully it will benefit Sweden for sure and Graham Potter."

'Sometimes the dog who barks loudest is not always the strongest'

Schwarz did not shy away from the blunt assessment that Gyokeres needs to shed a few kilos to be successful in the Premier League. 

"Sometimes the dog who barks loudest is not always the strongest," he said. "I think it's just the players in the Premier League. They are more powerful players, faster players.

“The strikers will always be counted on for the goals that they are scoring. Hopefully, he'll start to create and score goals, have a good run, get that real boost, and get a bit lighter because he's a heavy player. I think that would help.

"He didn't have a proper pre-season, and you need to play the games. You have those six weeks to interact with your colleagues, to understand the movement. 

“When the midfielder makes the pass, you just have to look in their eyes, you know where they'll pass it. That's a relationship that takes a bit of time, and football is about fine margins. Look at Dennis Bergkamp, he was the best at that. He will learn and score a lot of goals, and that will benefit Arsenal.”