Viktor Gyokeres: How does being a star in smaller matches matter?

In elite football, players who shine in major matches often receive acclaim. However, the reality of long-term competitions like the Premier League reveals a different pattern: Championships are often determined by the ability to secure points against weaker opponents.

In that context, Viktor Gyokeres being labeled as a "star of smaller matches" is not necessarily negative. In fact, it could be precisely the factor that helps Arsenal maintain their advantage in the title race.

Football has witnessed a classic example of the value of "small" points. In the 2015-16 season, Leicester City wrote a fairy tale by winning the Premier League. Notably, Claudio Ranieri's team did not dominate the major clashes.

The difference lay in the other matches. While Arsenal unexpectedly dropped points against mid-tier teams like West Brom or Swansea City, Leicester remained extremely consistent against lower-rated opponents. Leicester secured 52 points out of a possible 60 against the bottom-half teams. That consistency was the foundation for their historic championship.

On that journey, Leicester had a player often seen as a "bully of weaker teams": Leonardo Ulloa. The Argentine striker scored a decisive goal in the 89th minute to defeat Norwich, contributed goals and assists in a 3-0 win over Newcastle, and also scored against Swansea, West Ham, and Stoke City.

Ulloa's story somewhat reflects the role Gyokeres is playing at Arsenal this season. After moving to Emirates from Sporting CP for a fee around €63.5 million, the Swedish striker has not always been convincing. Yet, even with fluctuating form, Gyokeres remains the top scorer for the Premier League-leading team.

It is noteworthy that most of his goals come in matches against teams in the lower half of the table. Gyokeres has scored 3 goals against Leeds, 2 against Tottenham and Sunderland, and also netted against Nottingham Forest and Burnley. Meanwhile, his only goal against a top-half team was a penalty conversion in the win over Everton.

In major matches against opponents like Man City or Liverpool, Gyokeres often does not leave a significant mark. Under ideal squad conditions, manager Mikel Arteta would likely prefer Kai Havertz for top-tier matches due to his linking play and flexible movement. However, injury has limited Havertz's availability this season, forcing Arteta to rely on Gyokeres for most of the time.

Nevertheless, the role of the Swedish striker should not be undervalued. In domestic leagues, matches against weaker teams constitute most of the schedule, and securing full points in these games is crucial for championship ambitions. Many teams in the past have lost their title chances precisely because they stumbled against lower-rated opponents.

Therefore, Gyokeres may not be the type of striker who shines in top matches or Champions League knockout rounds. But he is the kind of player suited for resolving matches where opponents park the bus and aim only for a draw. Those are less glamorous matches, yet their value is no less than any major clash.

If Viktor Gyokeres can consistently help Arsenal secure those seemingly minor points, then his being a "star of smaller matches" is actually exactly what a title-contending team needs most.