Midfielders Arsenal Needs to Use to Get the Best Out of Viktor Gyökeres
With Arsenal reportedly targeting Viktor Gyökeres to bolster their attacking firepower, the focus shifts not just to signing the Portuguese-based Swedish striker, but also to building a midfield around him that amplifies his strengths. The 26-year-old Sporting CP forward is a powerful, hard-running, and technically sound striker known for his ability to hold up play, dribble into spaces, and make intelligent runs behind defenses.
To truly unlock Gyökeres’ full potential at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta must carefully select and configure his midfield — not just with technical players, but ones who match Gyökeres' directness, support his link-up tendencies, and feed him high-quality chances consistently. Below are the midfielders Arsenal must utilize — and how — to get the best out of Viktor Gyökeres.
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1. Martin Ødegaard – The Creative Engine
The Arsenal captain is non-negotiable. Ødegaard’s vision, spatial awareness, and left-footed magic make him the primary creative fulcrum of the team. What Ødegaard offers is the perfect service for a striker like Gyökeres — through balls into tight channels, cut-backs from inside the box, and one-two combinations in and around the penalty area.
To make the most of Ødegaard’s creative abilities, Arsenal should encourage fluid interchanges between the Norwegian and Gyökeres in the final third. Ødegaard’s central role ensures he can find Gyökeres’ darting runs or play off his hold-up play — which is one of Gyökeres’ strongest traits.
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2. Declan Rice – The Box-to-Box Buffer
While not primarily known for his creativity, Rice is indispensable for maintaining midfield balance. His presence allows Ødegaard more freedom to push forward and link up with Gyökeres. More importantly, Rice’s ball-carrying and late surges into the box can draw defenders away from Gyökeres, allowing him more space to operate.
In a two-man pivot or a 4-3-3 setup, Rice can also act as the ball-winner and transition link — breaking up play and releasing the ball quickly to Ødegaard or wide players to catch defenses out before they settle.
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3. Kai Havertz – The Hybrid Wildcard
Though he has divided opinion, Havertz offers something that could click with Gyökeres — off-ball movement and aerial presence. If Arteta opts to play Havertz as a left-sided No.8 or advanced midfielder, his smart runs into the box can pull defenders away from Gyökeres, creating chaos and confusion.
Gyökeres often thrives when paired with other vertical runners or when defenses are stretched. Havertz’s tendency to ghost into goal-scoring positions without the ball means defenders can’t just crowd Gyökeres — opening up more 1v1 situations for the striker.
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4. Emile Smith Rowe or Fabio Vieira – The Off-the-Bench Spark
To maintain tempo and unpredictability late in games, Arsenal must also rotate or introduce playmakers like Smith Rowe or Vieira. Both are capable of unlocking deep defenses with short, sharp passes and movement, something that could suit Gyökeres in tight matches where spaces are limited.
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5. Thomas Partey (If Fit) – The Base Distributor
If Partey can regain fitness and form, his ability to dictate tempo from deep could be crucial. His long passing and quick switches can stretch opponents and feed Gyökeres early, especially when making runs off the last defender. A midfield of Partey, Rice, and Ødegaard offers a complete mix of creativity, power, and control — a dream scenario for a striker like Gyökeres.
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Tactical Suggestions
To maximize Gyökeres:
Formation Flexibility: Arteta should consider a 4-2-3-1 or even a 4-3-3, depending on opposition. The key is having Ødegaard close to Gyökeres and runners like Havertz or Martinelli nearby.
Wide Midfield Support: Encouraging midfielders to connect with wingers like Saka and Martinelli will give Gyökeres the service he thrives on — low crosses and cutbacks.
Vertical Passing: Midfielders must look forward, not sideways. The goal is to feed Gyökeres early and often.
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Conclusion
Viktor Gyökeres is not a plug-and-play striker — he’s a system striker who thrives with the right balance of creativity, energy, and support around him. Arsenal already possess most of the ingredients in their midfield to bring out the best in him. By relying on the creative instincts of Ødegaard, the dynamism of Rice and Havertz, and the tactical intelligence of players like Partey or Vieira, Mikel Arteta can turn Gyökeres into a Premier League force.
But it all depends on synergy. Because even the most lethal
striker needs the right midfield heartbeat to bring him to life.
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