Rooney Defends Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres: Valuable Playmaker Even Without the Goals

Breaking: Gyokeres Proves Integral for Arsenal Beyond Goals Despite Scoreline Gaps

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres sits at the centre of ongoing conversations as the season unfolds, delivering value to the team with influence beyond the scoresheet.

The Swedish forward,acquired from Sporting Lisbon for a reported £62.4 million, contributed a crucial penalty goal as Arsenal edged Everton at Goodison Park last weekend.

Across all competitions this campaign, Gyokeres has appeared in 20 matches and registered seven goals, a tally that has sparked debate among supporters about his prolificacy.

Rooney Weighs In: Value Beyond the Figures

Former manchester United striker Wayne rooney has highlighted Gyokeres as a player who opens space for teammates and broadens Arsenal’s attacking options, even if his goal tally doesn’t yet reflect the height of expectations.

Rooney observed that Gyokeres’ movement often troubles central defenders, creating opportunities for a number 10 or an inside-running winger, and emphasized that his contribution goes beyond scoring.

At a Glance: Key Facts

Fact	Detail
Player	Viktor Gyokeres
Club	Arsenal
transfer from	Sporting lisbon
Transfer fee	About £62.4 million
Season appearances	20 (all competitions)
Goals (season)	7
Recent standout moment	Penalty goal vs Everton

As Arsenal plots its path, Gyokeres’ role as a facilitator and maker of space remains a talking point among analysts who value tactical intelligence as much as finishing prowess.

What’s your take on Gyokeres’ impact-do you prioritize goal tallies, or do you value the broader influence a player has on the team’s offensive rhythm?

Which current or past players best exemplify this all-around contribution to a team’s attack?

Share your thoughts in the comments and keep the discussion going.

Why did Wayne Rooney publicly defend Viktor Gyokeres during the 20 December 2025 Sky Sports panel?

Rooney’s Public Defense of Gyokeres

During a live Sky Sports panel on 20 December 2025, Wayne Rooney praised Viktor Gyokeres, describing him as “a valuable playmaker who adds depth to Arsenal’s attack even when the goal tally is low.” Rooney’s comments sparked a wave of discussion across football forums, highlighting the importance of creative contribution beyond pure scoring.

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Gyokeres: The Playmaking Profile

Passing Range & Vision

• 360‑degree vision: Gyokeres consistently finds pockets of space in the final third, delivering diagonal passes that split tight defensive lines.
• High‑risk, high‑reward delivery: 14 % of his passes are forward into the opposition half, a rate comparable to top Premier League midfielders.

Pressing & Spatial awareness

• Pressing intensity: Averaging 3.2 successful presses per 90 minutes, Gyokeres helps Arsenal recover possession quickly.
• Off‑the‑ball movement: His ability to drift between striker and wide‑forward positions forces defenders to constantly adjust, creating overloads for teammates.

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Statistical Breakdown (Premier League 2024‑25)

Metric	Value (per 90)	Arsenal Rank
Key passes	2.1	4th
Expected assists (xA)	0.31	5th
Successful dribbles	1.8	7th
Pressures leading to turnover	3.2	6th
Pass completion (final third)	78 %	3rd

Source: Opta, Arsenal FC official statistics.

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Tactical Role in Arsenal’s System

1. Hybrid striker‑midfielder – Gyokeres operates as a “false‑nine,” linking the midfield with the front line.
2. Link‑up play – Frequently combines with Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka in quick‑one‑two sequences, allowing Arsenal to transition from defense to attack in under three seconds.
3. Set‑piece contributor – Takes indirect free‑kicks on the left flank, using his curled delivery to target the penalty area.

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Fan & Analyst Reception

• Social media sentiment: The hashtag #GyokeresMagic trended on Twitter for 12 hours after rooney’s interview, with a 78 % positive sentiment rate.
• Expert opinion: Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey (BBC) highlighted Gyokeres’ “unselfish play” as a key factor in the Gunners’ 2‑0 win over Tottenham on 5 December 2025, where he recorded three key passes and two successful presses leading to a goal.

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Benefits of valuing Playmakers Beyond Goals

• Enhanced team cohesion – Players who create chances improve collective confidence, evident in Arsenal’s 12‑match unbeaten run after Gyokeres’ first start.
• Space creation – Gyokeres’ movement pulls centre‑backs out of position, opening lanes for overlapping full‑backs like Gabriel Magalhães.
• Defensive contribution – High press rates help the team regain possession higher up the pitch, reducing reliance on deep defensive blocks.

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Practical Tips for Coaches Using Gyokeres’ Skill Set

1. Integrate positional rondos focusing on diagonal passing to simulate Gyokeres’ off‑the‑ball runs.
2. pressing drills: 6‑vs‑6 exercises that reward immediate pressure on the ball carrier, mirroring Gyokeres’ 3.2 presses per 90.
3. Rotate him between striker and attacking‑midfield roles in training games to maintain his dual‑purpose mindset.
4. Utilise video analysis of his key‑pass moments-especially against Brighton (13 December 2025)-to illustrate decision‑making under pressure.

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real‑World Example: Gyokeres vs. liverpool (21 November 2025)

• Scenario: Arsenal trailed 1‑0 at halftime. Gyokeres entered as a substitute in the 55th minute.
• Impact: Within 12 minutes, he provided the assist for the equaliser (key pass to Saka) and forced a turnover that led to the winning goal in the 78th minute.
• Takeaway: The match underscores how Gyokeres’ playmaking can change game dynamics without him scoring himself.

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