Michael Owen has shared his assessment of Viktor Gyokeres’ difficulties at Arsenal, expressing doubts over whether the striker possesses the quality required to consistently perform against the Premier League’s strongest sides. The former forward believes Gyokeres’ struggles highlight the significant gap between excelling in Portugal and delivering at the very highest level in England.
Gyokeres built an outstanding reputation during his two seasons in Portugal, where he was widely regarded as one of the most feared strikers in Europe. His goal-scoring exploits made him one of the most talked-about forwards on the continent, and his performances in European competition, including matches against Manchester City, further enhanced his profile. As a result, Arsenal spent a considerable period during pre-season negotiations working towards an agreement to bring him to north London.
The striker arrived having missed much of pre-season, but expectations remained high that he would adapt quickly and lead the line effectively. However, his transition has proven challenging, reinforcing the idea that success in Portugal does not always translate seamlessly to the Premier League. Other players have faced similar issues in the past, and Gyokeres is now experiencing the same scrutiny.
Owen’s assessment of Gyokeres
While acknowledging Gyokeres’ strengths, Owen has questioned his ability to influence matches against elite opposition. Speaking on the matter, according to the Metro, Owen said, “And do you know what? Against Burnley, against Nottingham Forest, against Everton, whoever it might be, he probably is going to score a lot of goals, he can finish, he will be in the box.
“But to win these games against Liverpool, you need a bit of class, you just need a bit of class and that’s just where he lacks.”
Owen’s comments suggest that while Gyokeres can be effective against lesser opposition, the demands of decisive matches expose limitations in his overall game.
Room for improvement
Despite the criticism, there remains an understanding that Gyokeres is still capable of development. The striker has shown flashes of his finishing ability and positional awareness, traits that could yet prove valuable as the season progresses. There is also a belief that the second half of the campaign may offer him more opportunities to settle and contribute.
Nevertheless, Owen’s view reflects a broader concern that Gyokeres may continue to find the biggest matches difficult. For Arsenal, the challenge will be determining whether patience and refinement can unlock the level required to succeed against the Premier League’s top teams.
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In the summer Calvert Lewin and Delap were available before Arsenal made VG decision.
One of them is injury prone and unproven at the highest levels. The other is just unproven.
I’m glad you are not the one managing our club
I’ve never rated DCL, Ambachew. Check out his numbers at Everton – hardly prolific. People on JA are often taken in when a player scores a few goals (Chris Wood being the last I remember – another no from me).
DCL has scored 4 more than VG, hardly setting the world alight, and will no doubt go on a drought or become injured soon like he often does.
And as for Delap – who?!! Another no from me. Don’t get me wrong VG frustrates me, being the unit he is and is so easily muscled off the ball, but I believe the goals will come. I have no idea when haha, but they will. Keep the faith, Ambachew
We utterly stop worrying about VG when Havertz makes his imminent return. Until then remains a transient glitch that divides opinions.
Someone mentions Delap and Calvert Lewin; c’mon!!!!!
Victor Gyokeres will come good as soon as they start picking all those clever runs into space! – his movements are good and it’s only a matter of time; I have seen games where Odegaard, Timber, Saka himself and others have chosen the wrong passes ignoring VG’s clever runs but they will all click ultimately!
Stay positive vibe. Good points. Thanks Lorika. Even Sesko is starting to produce goals, a brace. Hope VG reaches double digit before the season ends.
People are talking alot about VG. I think the man is doing well. Maybe not very well, but he is trying. First of all he is holding the opposite defense in their half. He is always surounded by more than 2 defenders. The opponent defence is nolonger coming and press in our half. An other problem for our VG is that the rest of our players who used to play with false no9 up to now are not yet using well the no9 they got. They always want score goals as if no9 is not there like before. Also the man is a bit shy. Look at Halaand every ball they get they always want send it to him. Arsenal players dont trust yet VG yet. The good thing we are winning our games but if we have to blame lets do it for all the team especially the coaches. They are in better poaitions to correct these small details. But lets give time to our man he is strong defenders fear him and he wants contribute to the team success.
Which attacker has scored 20 Premier league goals since Arteta joined and brought Odegaard into the attacking midfield position? The first victim was Aubameyang, then Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus, name them! So I’m not surprised.
I expected he start Martinelli sometimes from the right of attack, as starting right footers from the right helps him on big games and also make our attackers to score against big oppositions, but he never do that.
The two rare wins against Man City in the league was by right footers on the right – one of them was even 5- 1 against Man City last season where Martinelli played from the right. Our attackers scored goals that day. But Arteta never want to do that again!
Left footed Saka played against Man City 9 times and we won only one. He tried another left footer this season, Madueke, on the right, we also fail to win.
All these things are badly affecting our strikers.
PEA was the first striker to score 20 PL goals since RVP, so we went quite a few seasons without a lethal striker.
This isn’t the first time you have brought up right footed players playing on the right. I replied to you previously that Man City play with right footed players on the left and left footed players on the right and it hasn’t stopped them scoring goals. Even Wenger done it, Overmars and Pires were right footed and he played them on the left.
Herr Drier,
Overmars and Pires, now you’re talking. What quality they we’re. Those were the days. 🤔
I think bring VG late on he has no speed and ball control and has poor shot selections.h Lets not have a Pep and Grealish situation where their performances does not match their price
Comments by Owen on a player gyokeres are true 👍. Bigger games are proving to be a nightmare on the striker. For example, in a game against Liverpool in first half, the striker was unable to read his positioning from the left and the right wingers thereby failing to capitalize on those important crosses into the eighteen areas. I only hope he is learning something from these high class games