At first glance, the stat jumps off the page.
Viktor Gyökeres ranks first in the Premier League for “least average space when available”, at just 3.28 metres, according to Sky Sports data (minimum 1,000 minutes played). That’s significantly tighter than the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ollie Watkins, Halland, and even Benjamin Šeško.
For a striker with Gyökeres’ output and physical profile, it raises a fascinating tactical question:
Why are centre-backs getting so tight to him — and why doesn’t the same happen to Erling Haaland?
The answer isn’t as simple as “respect”.
The Stat That Started the Debate about Viktor Gyökeres
“Least average space when available” measures how much room a player has when they are free to receive the ball. In theory, elite forwards should command more space due to fear of what happens if they turn.
Yet the data shows the opposite for Gyökeres.
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Viktor Gyökeres – 3.28m
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4.4m
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Ollie Watkins – 4.42m
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Benjamin Šeško – 4.43m
That gap is not marginal — it’s tactical.
Theory 1: He’s Marked Tightly Because He’s a Threat
One interpretation is flattering.
Gyökeres is a direct, aggressive striker who attacks central zones relentlessly. Defenders know that if he receives on the half-turn inside the box, damage follows. So they step in early, deny space, and engage physically.
But this explanation immediately runs into a problem.
If that were the full story, why isn’t Haaland marked even tighter?
Haaland is objectively the most devastating striker in the league. Yet defenders often drop off him rather than engage early.
That tells us something important.
Theory 2: Movement vs Manipulation
Elite strikers don’t just move — they manipulate defenders.
Haaland’s greatest weapon isn’t strength alone; it’s how he uses it. He pins centre-backs, waits for the moment they commit, then explodes across the blindside. Defenders are reluctant to step tight because one mistimed move and he’s gone.
Gyökeres, by contrast, tends to stay more visible to defenders. His runs are often straight, his positioning more front-facing. That makes him easier to track, easier to engage, and psychologically “safer” to step into.
So defenders gamble.
Theory 3: Power Without Separation
Viktor Gyökeres is strong. No question.
But power alone isn’t enough at the elite level. The very best strikers combine strength with explosive separation — the ability to pin a defender and escape them in the same movement.
Haaland excels here. So does peak Kane. So did prime Aguero.
Centre-backs know that once Haaland has contact, they’ve already lost.
With Gyökeres, defenders appear more willing to get tight because they believe they can stay attached without being beaten in the first step. The data supports that belief — he’s receiving the ball under pressure more than anyone else.
What This Means for Arsenal (And Arteta)
This context matters when evaluating Arsenal’s striker debates.
Benjamin Šeško, for example, profiles very differently. His off-ball movement, diagonal runs, and ability to stretch defensive lines create space before contact, not after it. That’s likely why Mikel Arteta showed strong interest.
It’s not about output alone. It’s about how defenders behave when you’re on the pitch.
And right now, the league’s defenders are telling us — through their positioning — that Viktor Gyökeres is a striker they’re happy to fight early rather than fear late.
Final Thought
This isn’t a dismissal of Viktor Gyökeres. It’s a reminder that elite football lives in the margins.
Being tightly marked can mean respect — or it can mean opportunity for growth.
If Gyökeres can evolve his movement to force defenders into retreat rather than engagement, that 3.28 metres will rise. And when it does, his ceiling rises with it….
