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Viktor Gyokeres has found himself fighting for his place at Arsenal, playing only 12 minutes of Premier league football so far this season.
The Swedish striker remained on the bench during Saturday's 2-0 victory over Sunderland with Kai Havertz preferred by manager Mikel Arteta.
Gyokeres finished last season as Arsenal's top scorer, but former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere has questioned whether the team's possession-heavy approach naturally plays to the former Sporting CP forward’s strengths.
"My only concern is that I just feel we're not playing the style that suits him, and that's more my concern," Aliadiere told LiveFootballTickets during an exclusive online event.
"Mikel always seems to go back to Havertz. Even after Havertz was out for a long time, he brought Havertz back in for the big games because Havertz fits the way we play and the style we play."
Why Arsenal's style may not suit Gyokeres
Gyokeres is at his most dangerous when he can attack space, run the channels and receive the ball early in transition.
Aliadiere believes Arsenal do not always provide that type of service.
"We're not a team that, in transition, just hits the long ball straight away for the striker to run the channels. That's not really what we do.
"We like possession, we like to keep the ball and we like to go wide to our wingers.
"I do feel sometimes, particularly last season, Viktor struggled because he wanted the ball quickly, to be one-v-one with a defender and run the channel, and he never really got that service.
"So my question is more: can we play with him in this team?"
Despite those concerns, Aliadiere backed the forward to remain patient and work his way back into Arteta's starting XI.
"I think he's just got to be patient, keep the faith, have a strong mindset and mentality and really believe in his quality and that he will turn things around.
"Obviously, I know how difficult it is when suddenly you're not playing and you're on the bench and you don't really understand why."
Kai Havertz gives Mikel Arteta a selection dilemma
Aliadiere also defended Gyokeres' record, pointing out that he still delivered goals despite facing criticism.
"When you look at it, he was the top scorer last year. Obviously there was some criticism and people expected more for the money invested, but in the end he did deliver.
"I think he scored some important goals and he gives you something different."
"We can't deny when we watch the games that when Havertz plays, he performs and does really well," he said.
"It's tough to justify saying Viktor should be in and Havertz should be on the bench when Havertz is doing so well."
Arteta's side return to action on Tuesday night when they travel to Ipswich Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup, a fixture that could provide Gyokeres with another opportunity to stake his claim for a starting place.
The Gunners then return to Premier League action away at Brighton on Saturday as they look to continue their perfect start to the league season following Saturday's 2-0 win over Sunderland.
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