Viktor Gyokeres under pressure to deliver against Liverpool at the Emirates

Goal reports Viktor Gyokeres faces mounting pressure to produce a statement performance at the Emirates on Thursday when Arsenal host Liverpool.

Signed last July for an initial £55 million from Sporting after Arsenal pursued him ahead of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, Gyokeres arrived with a prolific record of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting. At Arsenal he has blanked in 18 of 23 appearances, scoring seven times (two penalties), yet remains the club's joint-leading scorer amid a squad that has seen 15 different scorers and four own goals.

Critics have highlighted his adaptation issues and movement: Gary Lineker has urged him to do more off the ball, and former Arsenal player Stefan Schwarz suggested Gyokeres may need to change his physique. Competition for the No.9 spot is increasing as Gabriel Jesus returns from an ACL tear — scoring in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa — and Kai Havertz nears a comeback, with Mikel Arteta praising Havertz's physical transformation and calling him a player the team miss.

Arsenal head into the fixture 14 points clear of Liverpool, with Liverpool missing Alexander Isak through injury and Hugo Ekitike a doubt, so Gyokeres will have a high-profile chance to stake a claim and his performance is set to be closely scrutinised.

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Sports, Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, Liverpool, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz