Sunday evening brought news that Arsenal are intensifying their pursuit of long-term striking target Viktor Gyökeres. Renowned transfer expert David Ornstein revealed that Arsenal’s new Sporting Director has a liking for the Sporting CP forward, who appears to be a more realistic option than Alexander Isak.
While this update should have sparked hype and jubilation, it’s surprising to see some skepticism surrounding Gyökeres and whether he fits Arsenal’s needs.
Where do you stand on the Gyökeres-to-Arsenal debate? Personally, I feel he would be an excellent signing to bolster our attack. Here’s why:
1. Proven Goalscorer
Gyökeres is a natural when it comes to finding the back of the net. His numbers over the past two seasons speak volumes:
– 2023-24: 33 league games, 29 goals, 10 assists
– 2024-25: 26 league games, 30 goals, 7 assists
It’s hard to argue that those numbers are sheer luck. Scoring goals is the toughest task in football, and Gyökeres does it with ease. Arsenal have struggled at times due to the lack of a clinical striker leading the line, so why overlook a top goal-scorer who could solve that issue?
2. Impressive Display Against Arsenal
Despite Arsenal’s resounding 5-1 victory over Sporting CP, Gyökeres gave a solid account of himself. In fact, he posed more problems for Arsenal’s defence than even Erling Haaland managed in 2024. Gyökeres:
– Ran the channels effectively
– Provided a reliable outlet for his team
– Created chances from seemingly nothing
– Took shots from awkward angles with great precision
His contribution was reflected in key stats (via AiScore):
– Most shots in the game (5)
– Most shots on target (2)
– Most key passes (3)
Signing players who shine against top opposition often turns out to be a masterstroke. Manchester United did so with Cristiano Ronaldo, and Arsenal’s acquisition of Declan Rice may also have been influenced by his performances against them. If Gyökeres can hold his own against a solid Premier League defence like Arsenal’s, he’s likely to be a thorn in the side of other Premier League defences too.
3. A More Affordable Option
Reports suggest Gyökeres could be available for €60-70 million, which is roughly half the price Newcastle would demand for Isak. With Newcastle reportedly reluctant to sell, Isak’s deal could turn into a drawn-out saga. If Arsenal want to avoid such complications, Gyökeres seems a much more practical target.
Benjamin Šeško, another striking option, is priced similarly to Gyökeres. While Šeško may appear to be a strong alternative, Gyökeres’ experience in English football—having previously played in the Championship—gives him an edge in terms of adapting quickly to the Premier League.
With Arsenal also in the market for a prolific winger, Mikel Arteta’s team are set to create plenty of chances next season. As doubted as Gyökeres may be, if Arsenal are unable to secure Isak, he seems like the perfect striker to capitalise on those chances and lead the attack.
What’s your take on this potential move?
Daniel O
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The only skepticism comes from him scoring those goals in the Portuguese league (though his record in Europe is also impressive). Every transfer is a risk, but I do think he’s the best/most likely to succeed of the rumoured options we hear thrown about. His pace and strength are really impressive and he’s shown he can be a handful for top defenders, like ours and city’s.
I’d be happy and optimistic if we got him, it just seems like we’re more likely to get someone else, either because of the cost of gyokeres or the competition – but that’s just a vague impression, who knows really.
Agree that he is the most likely selection to have great success exceeding his cost. He’s certainly done great since he “turned on” with Coventry City a few years back. However, I believe his downside risk is also greater than some of the choices we could have available from the PL such as Mateta.
Darwin Nunez and Bas Dost also scoring goals for fun in Portuguese league
Gyokeres has also failed at Brighton/ Swansea and will turn 27 in June
If he is only available at €60-70m, I’d prefer to gamble on the younger Sesko for that price or the cheaper Vlahovic
Benjamin Sesko would really be good in arsenal team, although Gyokeres score’s lots of goals it would make much more sense to bring in Sesko because of his all round game,he Link up play better than Gyokeres as well as having a good aerial presence which is a good weapon arsenal have been using, just like Gyokeres he has lots of speed also so will be good in pressing up top and age wise he has it so it will be a plus.
I just hope Berta won’t repeat his Atletico Madrid mistakes (Matheus Cunha and Joao Felix) at Arsenal
gotanidea
That is my big concern as well; Cunha is a big drop off, and Hugo in Bundesliga seems predictable in his movements, not to mention the cards he accumulates.
Sesko for me; talented player, 21 and will get better, and can be in our squad for the next decade.
I would be ok with David as well; similar game to Jesus except David can actually score goals, as opposed to Jesus and his struggles.
decent player no doubt, just not suited to Arsenal game, and particularly solving Arsenal problems with XI behind the ball low block – that is what Arsenal need
so not a good fit, so let’s look at the risk list
1) previous Portuguese League prolific/clinical/elite who fail in PL
2) did nothing in England in previous
3) game is in transition and running in to acres of space behind (not Arsenal challenge)
4) PL defenders out muscle him and faster
5) no evidence good in tight space, technical touch, aerial ability
6) no evidence can break XI behind the ball low block (that is the Arsenal challenge)
7) no evidence out of possession game, high press, tracking back
8) no bids from any club last summer when so many needed strikers
9) no bids from any club in the winter window when so many needed strikers – including Arsenal, so would be stupid to bid mega money in summer for a player we passed on in winter, makes no sense
so in fact many reasons to be uncertain, and reasons to believe Arsenal (and all other big clubs) not convinced
I suspect the fact that we decided not to buy him for circa 15m when he was with Coventry, has dampened our enthusiasm to the prospect of now being obliged to pay around 55m for a player who has performed well for a good side in what is a relatively weak League.
Gyokeres might turn out to be another Joao Felix,Dawin Nunus or the Fernandez of Chelsea,so i would love arsenal to stay away from him,Nunez was a clinical finisher at Portuguese league, but look at them now.
not for one second when at Coventry was Gyokeres on Arsenal radar – not where Arsenal do their shopping
Another issue is who hasnt looked good against Man city this season? They have been run through like we did when had Arteta at dcm numerous times this season.
Benjamin Sesko would really be good in arsenal team, although Gyokeres score’s lots of goals it would make much more sense to bring in Sesko because of his all round game,he Link up play better than Gyokeres as well as having a good aerial presence which is a good weapon arsenal have been using, just like Gyokeres he has lots of speed also so will be good in pressing up top and age wise he has it so it will be a plus.
I think it also shows just how rare quality strikers have become . Every name you can think of comes with its own risks. There are probably only three names in world football that would come with the tag guaranteed and we are not getting any of them- Haaland,Kane and Lewandoski. Isak is getting there but there are injury concerns with him.
Which is why getting a quality winger is just as important as getting a striker. In a world where strikers can’t be relied upon like yesteryears, you need prolific and creative wide players. It is not a surprise that over the past two decades,some of the best teams have relied on wide forwards for goals e.g. Salah,Cristiano,Messi,Neymar and Mbappe.
👍 Onyango. I still have regrets that we didn’t go for Lewandowski when he left Bayern. He was reasonably priced as doubts relating to his age were being raised. Barca seized the opportunity and have been handsomely rewarded.
He wouldn’t have joined us
He could be new Nunez/Jonas or he could be new Falcao, who really of us know. Have to trust Berta for now.
For Gyökeres I have to say in addition to Portuguese league, hes very highly regarded at Coventry and has been lethal for Sweden, ahead of Isak.
I think the skepticism surrounding players that come from so called”weaker” leagues, is unjustified. Same as the thought of the EPL being the toughest league. Especially when you take into account that 66.2% of EPL players come from those so called”weaker” leagues. I guess what might make the EPL the toughest league, is the fact they have fewer breaks than any other league. Just sayin…
Fans see these things so simplistically.
It’s not just “Oh look, he’s scored a lot of goals. Buy him”. As MA himself has said, it’s about other factors such as whether they relish the physical side of the game that they will get in the PL, whether they’re more interested in the money, if they really want to play for Arsenal, if they have a personality/history that will upset the dynamic in the dressing room.
Then there’s exceptions to be spotted – people talked abiout Veiera being too small for a midfielder, but forgot about Santi Cazorla when they said it.
There’s more to this than looking at numbers when they play in another team, playing in another league, in another formation and tactical approach (for example, a striker who plays well in a counter-attacking side may not be good in a side that has the lion’s share of possession).
In the end, probably best just to let people at the club do their job and see how it works out, bearing in mind that it’s not an exact science.
@Neutral
Fair enough. But in the defense of Santi v Veiera. Santi was “short and stocky built”. He was also 2 footed and could shake off a tackle. While Veiera is short and frail built, which defenders love to take advantage of. Just sayin…