Mikel Arteta made ‘subtle tactical switch’ vs Tottenham after Viktor Gyokeres ‘concern’
Mikel Arteta made a subtle tactical change against Tottenham in an attempt to reverse the growing conerns about Viktor Gyokeres and his performances.
Gyokeres found the net twice as Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1, and was named man of the match by Gary Neville after what was an impressive display.
Former Man United assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arteta‘s decision to play a more direct game “massively” benefited the striker.
The Sweden international thrives when running in behind and competing with centre-backs, which often leads to him fading in games when Arsenal dominate possession.
Against Spurs, players were encouraged to find him with more balls in behind, and he proved a nightmare for Radu Dragusin and his defensive partners when running the channels.
- Read more: Gyokeres has put his Arsenal doubts to rest.
Viktor Gyokeres thrives after Mikel Arteta’s tactical change
Brown told Football Insider in October that Arteta has been happy with Gyokeres’ performances and could see his benefits to the side beyond scoring goals.
A slight change from their usual style, helped by Tottenham pushing higher, saw him thrive in the North London derby, and the manager’s decision was key.
“Arteta made a few interesting changes against Tottenham,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Gyokeres benefited massively from them, he had his best game in an Arsenal shirt I thought, and a lot of it was down to the way he was allowed to play.
“Too often when I watch Arsenal, they dominate the ball in the opponent’s half and everything is very congested with the striker dropping in and midfielders pushing up.
“Then the wingers tuck inside as well and it means it’s very crowded, and that doesn’t suit the way Gyokeres wants to play at all.
“I watched Gyokeres at Coventry and at Sporting, and he’s at his best when he’s running in behind, competing with defenders and moving into the channels.
“That’s what he was allowed to do against Tottenham, and it was clear they had been told to play that ball in behind, around the corner and over the top for him to run on to.
“He was given that room and he took full advantage of it, he was allowed to battle with defenders and we saw that in his second goal when he held off the defender.
“It’s something Arteta has clearly changed, at least for the game against Tottenham, and if they can play like that then any concerns about Gyokeres can be dismissed.”
Eberechi Eze also benefiting from Arteta’s tactical tweaks
Gyokeres is not the only big-money signing who has been criticised under Arteta, with Eberechi Eze also facing questions about his recent performances.
Brown told Football Insider in December that Arteta has a major decision to make about Eze and where he fits into his starting XI and first-team plans.
However, he picked up two assists in the FA Cup win against Wigan before scoring a brace against Tottenham, and Arteta has been key once again.
Following the North London derby victory, Arteta explained: “I have started to understand how we’re going to get the best out of him now.”
Eze represents a different type of player to the usual midfield creator Martin Odegaard, and adapting his tactics to the England star’s style has shown a marked improvement.
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