Arsenal’s Attacking Dilemmas: Why Cutbacks Fail to Yield Goals for Viktor Gyokeres and the Gunners

Despite effectively employing one of soccer’s most lethal attacking strategies, Arsenal struggles to convert cutbacks into goals, particularly with Viktor Gyokeres in focus.

LONDON – It should not come as a surprise that since Mikel Arteta took charge in his first full season, no team has attempted more pullbacks than Arsenal. This strategy, developed under Pep Guardiola, focuses on stretching play while providing opportunities for midfielders to score.

On a recent Thursday night, Arsenal’s ability to reach the byline was evident, yet their success fell short as they failed to translate numerous opportunities into shots or goals. Their recent match highlighted this inconsistency, which has persisted throughout the current season.

Arteta remarked, “We were much closer with the amount of situations and spaces we arrived into, normally you pick somebody in the box, and it’s a goal, but we didn’t do that today.”

Arsenal’s play, characterized by their full-backs’ movements and strategic passes into dangerous areas, lacks the conversion needed to capitalize on these prime situations. Given their efficiency in generating chances from pullbacks, the inability to convert remains a concern.

Their striker, Gyokeres, though capable of creating space, has yet to find the back of the net from these critical positions with his teammates struggling to support him effectively.

Until they can improve their finishing, Arsenal must refine their approach from cutbacks to ensure they begin capitalizing on the opportunities they generate.