Arsenal summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has impressed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in a deal which could rise to £64 million, but only in certain Premier League games.
Mikel Arteta’s long wait for a prolific striker was brought to an end by sporting director Andrea Berta in the Italian’s first window at the Emirates, and supporters eagerly awaited the Swede’s debut whilst expecting big things.
Gyokeres bagged an unbelievable 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting before his switch to north London – spearheading the Primeira Liga champions to a domestic double last season – and Arteta is hoping his new number nine can replicate those heroics on British shores.
Despite Arteta’s fondness for Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal tried to sign in the summer of 2024 and in January, Berta reportedly swayed Arsenal chiefs into moving for Gyokeres instead (The Athletic).
Arsenal’s summer signings
Price tag
Kepa Arrizabalaga
£5m
Martin Zubimendi
£60m
Christian Norgaard
£15m
Noni Madueke
£52m
Cristhian Mosquera
£13m
Viktor Gyokeres
£55m
Eberechi Eze
£67.5m
Piero Hincapie
Loan
Thus far, the signs have been fairly promising, but some criticism has surrounded Gyokeres’ lacklustre link-up play compared to the likes of Liverpool star Alexander Isak, who was also once a “dream” target for Arteta.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville also believes that Gyokeres won’t be a big-game player for Arsenal, with the 27-year-old failing to make an impact against both Man United and Liverpool this season.
“He’s a misfit, he’s a misfit for that group of players in the sense that he’s not sort of technically amazing, but I actually like that sort of contrast. That idea of having this battering ram who’s a little bit sort of ungainly, and he’s sort of, I think he’ll beat up small teams,” Neville said on Sky last weekend,
“Whether he’ll do it in the big games and score in the big games, not as sure, I think that the best defenders might handle him, and we’ll see, but I think he’ll beat up smaller teams for Arsenal, you know, that’s not a bad thing.”
His goals so far have come in a 5-0 win over Leeds United, and most recently, the Gunners’ 3-0 dispatching of Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest last Saturday.
Troy Deeney tips Arsenal to replace Viktor Gyokeres with Kai Havertz
Once £280,000-per-week star Kai Havertz is back from injury, talkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney is convinced that Arteta will bench Gyokeres for the big games in favour of their versatile German.
“He didn’t do anything against Liverpool, but they’re the games they brought him in for,” Deeney said.
“Even if you don’t score, you’re a nuisance, you’re a threat, you make other people say, ‘Right, we need to deal with you’, which opens up space for [Bukayo] Saka, Eze, [Noni] Madueke, whoever it is.
“I just think in those moments, it’s where he’s going to fall short and I think in those bigger games, when everyone is up to speed, Havertz will play in those games, I really do.”
Football is often reactionary at the best of times, and we believe that Gyokeres simply needs more time to settle in Europe’s most competitive division.
Viktor Gyokeres to deliver on big stage for Arsenal in time
The striker’s lack of impact against Man United and Liverpool is a concern, but that could simply be put down to Gyokeres finding his feet at brand-new club amid plenty of pressure to deliver.
At Sporting CP last season, the Swede produced 54 goals and 13 assists across competitions, thriving under the pressure of title races and European nights. His record shows he doesn’t just score against weaker opposition, either.
Gyokeres regularly delivered goals or assists in decisive matches, including against Porto and Benfica, where his work rate, strength, and ability to lead the line stood out.
His six goals in eight Champions League games for Sporting last season, including a stunning hat-trick against Man City, also work wonders to highlight that Gyokeres can indeed deliver on the biggest occasions.
