Arsenal got the three points against Leeds United, but there is one thing from the game that deserves a closer look: the understanding between Bukayo Saka and Viktor Gyökeres.
Nobody will complain about winning matches, especially when the team delivers the result. However, there are still questions about whether Arsenal are doing enough to bring the best out of their striker.
One moment involving Saka caught my attention. He had an opportunity to play Gyökeres through inside the box, but instead, he went for goal himself and missed the target.
Of course, Saka is one of Arsenal’s most dangerous attacking players, and nobody should question his ability to make things happen. But in moments like that, you have to wonder whether a pass might have been the better decision.
Gyökeres was in a position where he could have had an opportunity to score, and situations like this can make a difference in a striker’s confidence and contribution to the team.
Arsenal Need to Give Gyökeres the Right Service
When Arsenal signed Gyökeres, the expectation was that he would bring goals, physicality and a consistent threat in the final third.
The Swedish striker has shown that he can find the back of the net, and his performances during the international break offered further encouragement to those hoping he will become a regular source of goals for Arsenal.
However, football is a team game, and even the best strikers need support from the players around them.
A striker can make the right run, find space inside the penalty area and position himself for a scoring opportunity, but if the pass never arrives, there is very little he can do.
That is why Arsenal’s attacking players need to develop a better understanding of when to shoot and when to bring their striker into play.
Saka has the quality to score goals himself, but he also has the vision to create opportunities for his teammates. Finding the right balance between those two responsibilities could make Arsenal even more dangerous.
Is It Really a Problem Between Saka and Gyökeres?
It would be unfair to judge their entire partnership based on one incident. Saka is an experienced attacker, while Gyökeres is still working to establish himself within Arsenal’s attacking system.
Building chemistry takes time, especially when players are learning each other’s movements, preferences and timing.
Sometimes, the problem is the decision to shoot instead of pass. On other occasions, the striker may need to adjust his positioning or make a different run to give his teammate a clearer passing option.
Both sides have responsibilities.
Gyökeres must continue working on his movement, timing and ability to create space for himself. Meanwhile, his teammates must recognise his runs and understand how to use his strengths more effectively.
The important thing is that Arsenal find ways to make their attacking play more effective rather than allowing promising opportunities to go to waste.
Mikel Arteta Has an Important Decision to Make
Mikel Arteta has assembled a squad with plenty of attacking quality, but having talented players does not automatically guarantee a successful partnership.
Arsenal need their forwards to complement one another rather than operate as individuals. If Gyökeres is going to become the goalscorer the club expects, the team must create the conditions for him to succeed.
That does not mean every attack should end with a pass to the striker. Saka must still be encouraged to take responsibility, attack defenders and shoot when the opportunity is right.
However, there must also be a willingness to recognise when Gyökeres is better placed to finish an attack.
Getting that balance right could give Arsenal another dimension in the final third and make them much harder to defend against.
Arsenal Fans Have Every Right to Ask Questions
The victory over Leeds United was important, but the bigger picture matters too. Arsenal are not simply looking for three points; they want an attack that can consistently produce goals against different opponents.
Gyökeres needs opportunities to show what he can do, and his teammates have a role to play in making that happen.
At the same time, the striker must continue improving his movement and understanding of the system. It cannot be entirely down to Saka or the other attackers to make the partnership work.
For now, it may be too early to label their relationship a problem. But these are the kinds of moments Arsenal should learn from as the season progresses.
Gooners, what do you think? Was Bukayo Saka wrong to go for goal instead of passing to Viktor Gyökeres, or should the striker be doing more to make himself available?
Do Arsenal need to improve the service to Gyökeres, or is this simply a matter of the partnership needing more time to develop? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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