by Jack Beam
Arsenal’s successful summer transfer window sparked hope amongst the fanbase that the club could end its lengthy wait to win the Premier League title.
The Gunners last claimed the prize in 2003/04 when they famously went through the season without losing a single league game.
The club have come close to snapping their drought in recent years, claiming three consecutive second place finishes in the top flight.
One of the key factors which impacted Arsenal’s title chances was their lack of a clinical goalscorer. Viktor Gyokeres was signed to address this issue.
While his tally of three goals in seven league appearances is a little underwhelming, his overall performances have been hugely promising.
The Spreadex Sports season goals and assists predictions undoubtedly paint an intriguing picture where the former Sporting CP striker is concerned.
He has been tipped to end the season with 15.5 – 17 goals, which would be a solid return in his first campaign in the Premier League.
The Swedish international averaged almost a goal per game with Sporting, highlighting his ability to cause endless problems for defenders.
While his critics argue that the Portuguese top flight is a lower standard than the Premier League, that stance comes with caveats attached.
The argument has merit in terms of the clubs, but it also conveniently ignores that supposedly ‘lower standard’ players were creating chances for Gyokeres.
On that basis, a tally of 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting is a massive achievement, whichever way you flower it up.
Gyokeres will have no such quality issues at Arsenal. He is surrounded by world-class players who have the ability to create tons of chances for him.
Winger Bukayo Saka is at the top of the list. Spreadex have predicted he will bag 12 to 13.5 goals and 8.25 to 9.25 assists in the Premier League this season.
Although the goals prediction may not be too far wide of the mark, Saka’s projected assists tally may be a little too conservative.
The England star has registered 30 assists over the past three seasons – no mean feat when you consider he was not supplying an elite-level striker.
With Gyokeres now in the mix, it is not unreasonable to think that Saka could surpass his season-best assists tally of 11 set during the 2022/23 campaign.
A similar view can be taken with Gyokeres, who will also benefit from the service provided to him by Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice.
They are predicted to register around 21 assists between them this season, and Gyokeres will likely be on the receiving end of a significant portion of that tally.
With the projections not accounting for Martin Odegaard as he is currently sidelined with injury till November, the Swede could score at least 20 goals this season.
He is unlikely to challenge for the Golden Boot given that Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland is projected to hit a spread of 28.5 to 30.5 goals.
However, if Gyokeres breaks the 20-goal barrier, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League for the fist time in 22 years would be greatly enhanced.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became the sixth Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in a Premier League season in 2018/19.
He shared the Golden Boot with Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but his efforts were not enough to break Arsenal’s title drought.
Gyokeres and his teammates will be hoping for a different outcome this season and it would be a brave move to back against them achieving the feat.
