It looks like Viktor Gyokeres has steadily turned into the striker we hoped for upon signing him in the summer transfer window for £55 million from Sporting CP, where he found the back of the net 97 times in 102 appearances.
A Slow Start After Big Expectations
The man who was deemed the greatest striker in Europe after netting 54 times in 52 matches for the 21 time Portuguese title winners, as well as clinching the 2025 Gerd Muller Trophy, initially struggled to adapt to the Premiership.
He was far from being the attacking threat that he has now become and has gradually improved on the ball when running, finally looking like he has found his feet.
There were times when he looked clumsy when latching onto the end of crosses, for example against Manchester City when we fought back late on to draw 1-1, but he has since improved his aerial range and ability, as shown against Leeds when he scored from a close range volley.
Arsenal ultimately struggled until recent weeks to find a striker or centre forward they could rely upon for goals, such as during two 0-0 results against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. However, with the contribution of Gyokeres, as well as Gabriel Jesus who has kicked into form since returning from an 11 month absence due to injury, things are looking far rosier in relation to the title charge.
Goals, Confidence And Arsenal’s Title Push
According to Transfer Market, the former Brighton U23 graduate has evened out his goalscoring ratio with 11 strikes in 31 games, which is a respectable return for a new attacker adjusting to the English game.
In his last two Premier League games, he has scored three goals, two against Sunderland at the weekend during our crucial 3-0 victory and one the week before against Leeds United, who we thrashed 4-0.
On top of that, he scored a critical goal at Stamford Bridge during Arsenal’s League Cup semi-final 3-2 victory over Chelsea, before we secured a 1-0 win in the return leg at home thanks to late heroics from Kai Havertz. This ensured we reached a cup final at Wembley for the first time in six seasons, with our last piece of silverware coming when we beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup.
Furthermore, in Arsenal’s last eight games in all competitions, Gyokeres has scored six times, which is no mean feat.
Without Gyokeres yesterday, we would have barely scraped past Sunderland, who despite doing well for a newly promoted side this season by sitting ninth, were in the Championship less than 12 months ago.
The Stockholm born 27 year old has eventually transformed into the “Super Swede” we all expected him to be.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Liam Harding
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Well I wouldn’t say he has been transformed into he Super Swede a la Haaland we were hoping …and to be fair Haaland is a phenom one off !
I think the difference is coming off the bench against a tired defence instead of making them tired for first 60 mins
As you saw Jesus also didn’t ‘perform’ well according to some pundits.
The issue is that ALL teams Inc City and Liverpool Park the bus and he xe the first hour is always going to be tough work…. that we find a way through so often is commendable. And occasionally we can’t but it’s a long season
Be interested to see who starts against Brentford. I would be inclined for Jesus and then let Gyo start against Wigan .. let him flourish if he ha confidence and getting goals
Also Haverts and no Saka helps. Ode always looks for Saka
No Saka helps? That’s ridiculous man. This team with Havertz would be even better with Saka in it. Saka,just like Gyokeres,will benefit massively from Havertz’s movement. Before his injury last season, Saka had started forming a good partnership with the German in the absence of Odegaard. Can’t wait to have Starboy back.
Pls give me the stats for saka assists to Gyo !
It’s no slight on Saka as he has had to bear the burden of goals last few years…
BUT Gyo needs service
COYG
Gyokeres is starting to settle. His first touch and hold up play are improving.
Hopefully the goals continue to flow in for this remaining crucial part of the season. We need his goals the most now.
Gyokeres.
Trossard. Havertz. Madueke.
Rice. Zubimendi.
Calafiori. Gabriel. Saliba. Timber.
Raya.
Gyokeres benefits from Martinelli playing right wing as an ‘orthodox’ winger. That’s not the only reason but a noticeable one.
Our win rate is 84% when he starts. 65% when he doesn’t. He isn’t the striker, we thought we were getting but he brings something to the team, some do not appreciate. He has to be more consistent at scoring though. And we have to use him better. Which may or may not happen. He is a no9.
Personally I would say he still has a long way to go to meet our expectations.
I would also say i am happy at times as he offers us something we never had before.
He hassles and has a presence that we didn’t have before.
We are a able to mix it up top end now as proven on Saturday which is great
We haven’t played to his strengths at times so that’s on us so not all his fault but in time he will and will adapt better.
If he reaches 20 goals in all competitions then I think that is a fair return for his first season.
I prefer when he plays with KH as there seems to be a growing understanding.
Don’t like it when I see him a get bullied and drop to the floor as he is a lump and should handle them situation better but the prem is a tougher league then the portuguess league.
Onwards and upwards
I think you’ll find this largely coincides with Saka and Ode not being in the team as much.
Yes, strangely so.
I thought Saka was not scoring and not passing when he had to.
Maybe needed a bit of rest and a mental reset. I hope he comes back the Saka that we know
Massive!!!!
Gyok seems to be setting and finding his feet, which is great. I think he will continue to improve and his goal tally will grow.
This was always going to be a settling in season for Gyokeres. He’s got 13 goals so far, not bad for a striker that some think isn’t very good.
Well I for one hope he’s as bad for the rest of the season, and if he is that will mean he’s scored another 13 goals. Which hopefully would give our club a good chance of bringing home some much needed silverware. 👍🤞
My own prayer is dat, anyone should score among d players but what matter most is d 3point…kudos to all arsenal fans
Saka has been terrible, so many dead end options with so little coming off. He needs a reset and can only hope its going to come in the final stages of this season. Am willing to eat my words if Gyorkes keeps scoring even if his goals are only tap ins. Hope he gets a brace against the Spuds because for me this is a real season defining game. We simply cannot afford to drop points so early.
I agree with you regarding Saka JS, Saka seems to slow the game down of late when he receives the ball. Madueke has been so direct and such a threat, not to mention his corner kicking ability, that came as a bit of a surprise for me TBH.
Let’s see how Saka is when he gets back, maybe just a small mental break in the game is needed.
Mentioned this in another article, but it is not a bad start all things considered (and as I mentioned in my comment in the other article, I am by no means comparing them in the long term!)
Bergkamp- 11 off first 32 games
Henry – 12 off first 32 games
Gyokeres – 13 off first 32 games
I think he will come right, the first goal he scored of his brace showed some proper striker qualities to get onto the end of it.
COYG!
Kia, thank you for your interesting statistics. Another fact is that Gyokeres currently has a goal to game ratio, equal to the Arsenal career ratio of John Radford, the CF in Arsenal’s 1970/71 League and FA Cup Double winning team.