Jérémie Aliadière Urges Arsenal to Keep Faith in Viktor Gyökeres

As we move into the final weeks of April, Arsenal find themselves locked in a familiar, gruelling sprint against Manchester City. With the margins so tight, every dropped point feels like a definitive blow to their title aspirations - a reality heavily reflected in the fluctuating odds across major betting sites at the moment. While Mikel Arteta has established a squad capable of defensive consistency, the conversation around the Emirates has increasingly focused on the lack of productivity from the frontline.

If one player stands out amongst the club’s recruitment strategy last summer, it’s the high-profile signing of Viktor Gyökeres who has become a lightning rod for criticism this season. Former Arsenal striker Jérémie Aliadière believes that the narrative surrounding the Swedish forward is overly simplistic, suggesting that the tactical nuances of the game are being ignored in favour of easy headlines as the club reportedly scouts Atlético Madrid star Julián Álvarez.

Aliadière also highlighted that the pursuit of a world-class striker must be balanced with reinforcements on the wing, particularly with heavy interest in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nico Williams who could prove to be long term replacements for Gabriel Martinelli and Leonardo Trossard.

The tactical divide between Viktor Gyökeres and Julián Álvarez

The debate over Arsenal’s ideal number nine has been reignited by links to Argentine forward, Julián Álvarez. However, Aliadière warns that Gyökeres and Álvarez offer vastly different solutions to tactical puzzles set by opposing managers, and that the club must decide what kind of profile they truly value.

“I think for me Julián Álvarez and Viktor Gyökeres are two different players so if you see Álvarez, he likes to play as a nine and a half. He’s not really a nine. He's between the lines. They’re completely different. Gyökeres is a typical nine, which means you’ve got to feed him balls in the box for him to finish chances. You’ve got to get crosses in. Álvarez is more likely to come short and get involved like (Gabriel) Jesus.”

The distinction between a target man who needs to be fed chances to score, and a mobile forward who links play could prove central to how the Gunners transform their attacking prowess next season.

“They are two different players and they’ve probably scored as many goals as each other. Álvarez might have more assists than Gyökeres but he comes short and gets on the ball. He gets involved in the build up. Gyökeres is someone who needs to get in behind and get into the space quickly on transition which Arsenal don’t do enough and it’s why Gyökeres hasn’t shined as much as he could have if Arsenal played for him a bit more.”

Aliadière questions Arteta’s system amidst Gyökeres struggles

Despite the perceived struggles of the former Sporting CP man, Aliadière maintains that the criticism from the media and the stands is disproportionate. He suggests that the system, rather than the player’s inherent ability, is the primary reason for an underwhelming adaptation to life in English football.

“It’s harsh to criticise him and I think he’s scored a lot of goals in his first season at Arsenal. Arsenal need to play to his strengths a bit more. When you look at what Havertz brought when he played against City, Arsenal played a certain way which is better for a player that likes to come short.”

Introducing a talent like Álvarez could provide a tactical alternative, yet Aliadière insists that this shouldn't come at the expense of the current number nine.

“Álvarez will be a great fit because he is that player but can also play as a nine. He will go and press with a Martin Ødegaard next to him. I want to see great players at the club and he’s a top player and proven when he won the World Cup but I also wouldn’t get rid of Gyökeres. He's done what he always does and you can’t ask him to be who he isn’t. I want people to judge him for who he is and what he’s capable of doing. Maybe Arsenal haven’t played to his strengths.”

Can Kvaratskhelia and Williams bring the missing edge?

With Arsenal also reportedly monitoring Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nico Williams, the future of established stars like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard has come into question. Aliadière suggests that after several years without major silverware, the introduction of proven "winners" might be the only way to break the current cycle.

“Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nico Williams would be great additions to the Arsenal team. Knowing a little bit about the financial situation and Financial Fair Play, to bring that type of player in you would probably have to sell and there have been a lot of rumours about Trossard and Martinelli, who could be sold to generate money.”

The reality of the modern game often requires difficult personnel decisions to maintain a squad's hunger and competitive edge.

“I just feel in football, at some point when you’ve been at a certain club for so many years that it could be time for new challenges. I’m not saying it's because they’re not good enough or they have no quality. It’s because this is football and you need fresh legs and people that come in with a different mentality and hunger to play and to go and win trophies. It might be better to go to a new club, get a new challenge and Arsenal, maybe have a few players that have been with Mikel for four or five years and haven’t won any trophies.”

Success at the highest level often depends on integrating players who possess a history of lifting the game's biggest prizes.

“It might be time for them to move on and bring in players with that extra desire to push on. Like I said, it’s not about them not being good enough. It's the experience of winning and Kvaratskhelia is a winner. He’s winning trophies left, right and centre. He knows how to win. He won the Champions League last year and could be a great signing for the club but I’m sure players will need to be sold first.”

Read why Aliadiere is concerned with these Arsenal prospects