Viktor Gyokeres: Page 75 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Viktor Gyokeres

Qwiss

awooga83 this graphic is what you'd expect apart from the goals. If he was scoring at a .6 or .7 rate he'd be doing great.

Gazza M

Meatwad he chooses not create separation half the time. he runs directly into his marker, tussles with them, then loses possession or falls over. he's looking like lacazette with a worse touch

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https://billycarpenter.substack.com/p/connections

lorddulaarsenal

-- why use a few sentences when you can use a billion words!

Big Willie

lorddulaarsenal why use a few sentences when you can use a billion words!

Fuck me, you weren't exaggerating. It took a good minute or so just to quickly scroll to the bottom.

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lorddulaarsenal no one ever accused Billy C of being conservative with his word count.

FEBravo

Can someone summarise?

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

FEBravo "Connections" by Billy Carpenter (published in December 2024 for his newsletter Billy’s BBQ) is an in-depth tactical analysis focused on Arsenal’s evolving squad dynamics and the chemistry being built between new arrivals and established stars.
The article explores how individual player profiles translate into "on-pitch connections" and tactical systems. Here are the primary themes and sections covered:

Building Chemistry Under Pressure
Carpenter discusses the "mental load" of playing in a high-stakes, modern tactical system. He argues that chemistry isn't just about time spent together, but about players developing a shared "language" of movement. He specifically examines how the team maintains its structure and "mental connectivity" even when dealing with fixture congestion and the stress of a title race.
The Impact of New Signings
The piece provides detailed tactical check-ins on recent/hypothetical additions (reflective of the "Dream Arsenal" scouting series he often writes):
Viktor Gyökeres & "The Pinnock Test": He analyzes how a physical, direct striker like Gyökeres changes Arsenal’s attacking gravity. The "Pinnock Test" refers to how a striker handles elite, physical Premier League center-backs (like Ethan Pinnock) and whether they can dominate duels to create space for others.
Noni Madueke: Carpenter looks at Madueke’s "fresh legs" and 1v1 directness, examining how his tendency to take players on contrasts with or complements Arsenal’s existing wing play.
Piero Hincapié: He reviews Hincapié’s "trial by fire," looking at his defensive range and how his specific profile as a left-footed defender provides balance, especially in the absence of other key players.
The "Ripple Effects" of Absences
A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the tactical fallout of missing William Saliba. Carpenter explores how Saliba’s absence disrupts the "connections" in the backline, forcing other players (like Gabriel or Timber) to alter their spacing and decision-making, which in turn affects the midfield's security.
Tactical Nuances: Body Position and Pressing
Drawing on quotes from coaches like Juanma Lillo, the article delves into the technical "coachable actions" that define elite play:
Body Orientation: Why staying "side-on" is vital for contesting duels.
Intentional Pressing: The idea that "we press with our minds, not our hearts," emphasizing that Arsenal’s defensive success comes from intelligent positioning rather than just raw effort.
Summary of Conclusion
Carpenter concludes that Arsenal's current phase is about overcoming decision fatigue. He suggests that while the system is complicated, the "connections" being formed by players like Trossard, Saka, and the new arrivals are beginning to simplify the game by creating more predictable, high-quality attacking patterns.

Big Willie

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert Even that chatgpt summary is long winded.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Big Willie I haven't read that either 😂

QuincyAbeyie

Someone please use Chatgpt to summarize the Chatgpt summary

daredevil

Meatwad

Hopefully, that puts to death the nonsense that the team needs to do more to find him.

Burnwinter

The technical criticisms about body orientation, armbars, and timing of runs are the more optimistic ones for Gyökeres, because at least they can be worked on in a predictable way. Let's see how he goes if he stays fit.

Dom

His 'duels won' and 'hold-up play' highlights would be too short for YouTube shorts.

Since Emile Heskey, I haven't seen a striker fall on his arse as much. With Heskey it was intentional, with Gyokeres he's muscled off the ball very quickly and efficiently. It's annoying that for someone with his build, he's one of the easier physical challenges PL defenders have.

Surely the units we have in central defence would be perfect for him to improve that crucial aspect in training?

Meatwad

Dom
i'm glad you said defenders and not just center backs because that would be giving him too much credit. today everton's fullback won a duel.

Gazza M

Dom being muscled off and out paced with scary frequency. couldn't create separation with tarkowski to get a shot away ffs. his qualities are nullified in this league, and ive seen enough of a pattern to say we're not going to see the explosive increase in level that we desperately needed. and im 90% sure its beyond a 'confidence thing' at this stage

Qwiss

Meatwad they had O'Brien at fullback today. He's a 6' 6 monster.

DiabyKungFu

Qwiss they had O'Brien at fullback today. He's a 6' 6 monster.

I remember the exact situation he's referring to and it was with Mykolenko.

Coombs

Some might like Jesus dribbling around and around, but I prefer just about everything else about Arsenal when this guy plays.

MistaT

Coombs — think I prefer Merino at this point. At least it gives us a focal point that scores and the wide players look for.

Meatwad

yup that's exactly who it was.

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