There was a huge roar for the kick -off. Arsenal has a new striker, a new No. 14 – a center that asked the football world Mikel Arteta to sign for years.
Come full -time, the No. 14 that is being discussed, was the number of touches that Gyokeres managed during his first Arsenal Start, instead of the appearance of the Swedish striker followed in the footsteps of Thierry Henry and his iconic shirt number.
The 27-year-old received an hour through Arteta in the 3-2 defeat against Villarreal on Wednesday and it was a quiet start for life in North London. In his short details on the ball, Gyokees succeeded two shots. One blocked, one stored.
It was somewhat underwhelming, a small anti-climax. But Arteta saw promising signs.
“He has only been with us for a week,” said the Arsenal manager after the game. “But I already saw many things and a lot of goal, especially the way he attacked in certain spaces.”
Gyokees attacked the box in contrast to every Arsenal Center in the current era. It took the Swede only 30 seconds to pull away in the left channel, take the ball in the box and cross it. An unwanted tap-in was offered.
Arsenal has a Vooruit Center in Kai Havertz who tends to go to the right channel to join Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka. The Gunners have another option in Gyokees for another flank.
Then there was a moment late in the first half, when Gyokees sustained two defenders and spent both. Again, he pulled the ball back for a cross, but nobody was there.
It brings us nicely to the next important function of the Gyokeres game: within the width of the messages.
In the past, Arsenal has had options such as Havertz and Gabriel Jesus and come for the ball, and although there was a bit of it with Gyokees, his desire to stay on the last line and waiting for opportunities in the box clear.
Saka managed to beat his opposite man two or three times in the first half, with Gyokees in position up close to pick up all the leftovers. He almost came to a period in the opening period, but instead tucked the ball in Christian Norgaard.
Then his moment came in the second half. Gyokeres was played on the right side of the box and had a tight corner, but still forced a solid save from Villarreal -goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
It was an attack through the center of the field – Arsenal ranked 20th of all Premier League teams in those statistics last season. It was also a curved run on the back – instead of a link -up attack that Havertz is used to – that opened a stubborn defense.
It eventually became Gyoke's last action of the game, replacing him in the hour. It is clear that the Swedish striker still has some fitness to catch up.
“I think it was very important to him to start a competition and get the feeling and the connection with the team,” said Arteta.
“His fitness level, I think he didn't really train with a team for two months, so he has now done five or six sessions, I think, for today. So on Saturday [against Athletic Club]I think he will take another step and he will be in a better condition. “
The plan of Arsenal in the next 10 days is to prepare their new striker for that Premier League opener against Manchester United, live on Sky Sports. “I hope that days,” Arteta said about how long the gyokeres will take to get up to speed.
Gyokees still has a few obstacles to continue. His first 90 minutes, but also a first game with Martin Odegaard behind him.
“Every day in training I think he gets a very good feeling,” said Arteta. 'I think he has built connections and was built outside [the pitch]Of which I think it is really important for players who will help him be in the position he needs. “
And will he be ready for the trip to Old Trafford? “I think mentally and understand what to do, it will be 100 percent or more,” added the Arsenal boss. “Because he is so prepared and so confident that he can deliver immediately.
“I have no doubt that he will be in a really good place.”
And what about Max Dowman?
In addition to Gyokeres, the impressive Max Dowman, who again stood himself as one of the most talented teenagers in the game.
Just like against Newcastle in Singapore, 15-year-old came from the bank and showed the fearlessness of a player twice as ancientity. Just like against Newcastle, it was an excellent solo run too much for the Villarreal defenders, who had to get it for a penalty.
Dowman's diligent running was embodied by the statistics that he tried four times as many dribbles as Saka against Villarreal, in just a third of the time.
“He continues to impress without a doubt. The impact he had again in the game today, the efficiency he shows in every attack and action, it is incredible,” said Arteta.
“Again, he deserves to have opportunities, and if he continues like this, let's see what happens.”
Dowman becomes a phenomenon for the English public, but it is nothing new for his Arsenal teammates. Even last season, the then 14-year-old trained with the first team of Arteta, but was not allowed to play in the Premier League of the Champions League due to age rules.
“With Max it has been so fast,” Arteta added. “Even last year, when he was training with us, he did things like this in training and now he consistently does it in the game.
“So the three or four games he played has succeeded in affecting and has big moments in the game. Great.”
Many believe that Dowman's competitive debut will come this season, at the same age that Ethan Nwaneri made his professional bow in 2022. Although Dowman cannot appear in Europe until New Year's Day – because players have to be 16 or older in the Champions League – he now has permission to play in the Premier League.
But for those who expect Dowman to appear in Old Trafford and continue the show, Arteta has put a pin in that idea. Firstly, Nwaneri spent two seasons with the U21s before he became a first team. But for Dowman he first needs a small break.
“Let's see how things are going,” said Arteta about the first minutes of the first team. “Let us go on Saturday, also during the break. He needs a small break because he actually didn't have a vacation.
“He is going to have a break, which I think he needs. And then, after the week, he will be ready to go again.”
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games of this season
From this season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television are at Sky Sports this season.