When Arsenal were in the market for a new striker during the summer, they had numerous options to consider. Over the past few seasons, the team had been among the leading scorers in England, despite not possessing a top-class striker to rely on. This led many to speculate that the club could reach a new level if it were able to secure a quality forward.
Arsenal pursued their target with determination and ultimately signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Club, despite interest from several other clubs. The transfer came at a high financial cost, but the Gunners were confident that they were acquiring a player capable of making a major impact.
Gyokeres’ Struggles in England
Since he arrived in England, Gyokeres has faced challenges in finding form in front of goal, prompting some supporters to question whether the club’s decision was correct. Despite this, manager Mikel Arteta continues to express trust in the player’s ability to adapt and succeed in the Premier League.
Former defender Joleon Lescott has highlighted alternative options that Arsenal could have explored. As quoted by the Metro, he said, ‘They brought in Gyokeres because they thought he was the best of the available strikers. It’s easy to say now that Arsenal should have gone for Hugo Ekitike. Joao Pedro is another striker I don’t know why Arsenal didn’t buy.’
The Road Ahead for Arsenal
While some criticism has emerged, the club remains committed to supporting Gyokeres as he adapts to English football. The transfer represents a significant investment, and both the management and the fans are hoping that he will eventually deliver the performances that justified his acquisition. Arsenal’s pursuit of offensive strength underscores their ambition to compete at the highest level, and patience may prove essential in allowing Gyokeres to fulfil his potential.
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It is really a question of time : pundits say Gyokeres needs time to adapt , to develop , to fit in etc etc.
The problem is that Arsenal need a striker that hits the ground running. Gyokeres has been poor and there are too many aspects of CF play missing from his game.
For me , this buy has not worked out.
Pedro would have been an excellent fit for Arsenal but that bird has flown and the prospects of Chelsea selling him to a rival are distinctly remote.
Well. On May 14, 2025 at 7:34 pm someone posted this to JA under article “European giants hope Ars and Chelsea fight it out for their star man” – and has not every word of this been proved true, for all of us, having to sit through every painful minute producing enough evidence under every one of these points mentioned to sink a title challenge?
“Gyökeres is NOT the right fit for the Arsenal system at all – if Berta can’t see this Berta has to go. Bringing Gyökeres here would be such monumental disaster, both Arteta and Berta will be bounced out the club before next two seasons are played out.
Sure we can say Portugal’s a lesser league – look how many goals Darwin Nunez scored in it before his struggle in the PL – but Gyökeres’ nightmare at Arsenal will be far more obvious and fundamental than just his struggles at any other PL team.
Gyökeres doesn’t have a natural first touch, add his heavy first touch to poor at shielding a ball, slow to turn, and ponderous in transition, often carrying the ball away from goal to avoid losing it – playing alongside Havertz is going to expose Gyökeres lack of technical ability – he is way behind many forwards in the Premiership on technical ability. Gyökeres has scored his pile of goals playing top of pyramid in a counter attacking team, like Amorim’s United and all mourinho teams of course – Gyökeres wouldn’t be expected to score the same volume of goals in premiership, as he will face a different test with clubs so often prepared to defend deep – to get to about 20 would be about the limit for a player so technically limited. Gyökeres cannot play multiple positions, he offers nothing if he comes deep. Gyökeres would be most useful in Man U’s system, or any team playing counter attack – but arsenals tactical approach under Arteta is quite the opposite set up, Arsenal’s dynamic attacking style, and G’s so obvious lack of versatility, doesn’t fit into this Arsenal playing style at all. His lack of versatility doesn’t align with how Arsenal play keep ball and probe against clubs so often prepared to defend deep, even in their own patch.
Ask yourself how often in Club and international football a player has looked great in a side no one is in full defensive mode against, but useless and frustrated against a low block, where they are asked to bring their technical skills to teamwork probing away. That’s Gyökeres in a nutshell. I don’t for a moment think, after so much consideration, Arsenal will be daft enough to end up signing Gyökeres.”
Bench him – for use only when games open up and we are counter attacking.
Just like Liverpool done with Darwin in their title season.
I think we would by 100 times more effective with Eze as false 9 than persisting with Gyok as 9 against the low block.
Eze? Are you joking?
Not a joke. Eze as False Nine better starting option than Gyokeres.
Initially id wanted the younger Sesko rather than VG14 but now he wears the cannon ill be sticking with The Glok14. We probably have the biggest fan base which is compounded by the accompanying media (worldwide) dedicated to Arsenal programs. It is senseless losing belief in Gyokeres at this point where we’re still on top of matters and so near to reaching our goal(s).
It may be that so many among us [here] have shown already to be fickle with players, perhaps its how they express Afc support? But I trust he has the support of his gaffer as well as his team mates – with that said I trust he will score BIG GOALS be it against the spuds, against CHE or to turn the Carabao Cup in our favor. All we’ll hear thereafter about VG from his naysayers will be ‘See i told you so… i knew he could rise to the occasion’.
Point: Wittingly or unwittingly worldwide media can be guilty of being over zealous with our wins and exaggerating the impact of our losses. etc