Viktor Gyokeres has struggled since moving to Arsenal, as he has not established himself among the leading strikers in the game in the same way he did during his time at Sporting Club.
At the Portuguese club, he scored almost 100 goals in just two seasons and became one of the most prolific forwards in the league. His remarkable scoring record attracted interest from several clubs during the summer of 2025, but he eventually chose Arsenal, who completed the transfer after lengthy negotiations.
Gyokeres struggling to make his mark
In his first season at Arsenal, Gyokeres failed to reproduce the dominance he had shown in the Portuguese top flight. The difference in standards between the two leagues was evident, and the striker faced a more demanding challenge in England.
Gyokeres hoped this season would provide an opportunity to demonstrate his quality and establish himself as a dominant striker in the Premier League. However, he has struggled to secure regular playing time and has not been able to build the momentum he wanted.
The situation has led to questions about his performances, with former Arsenal player Armand Traore offering his assessment of the Swedish forward.
Traore questions Gyokeres’ threat
Traore said via The Sun:
“I played against Drogba many times. My lord. He had such an aura. It stinks of, ‘I’m a leader’. I don’t get that with Gyokeres or Havertz.
“If I was to play against Gyokeres I wouldn’t be worried. I was a very, very fast player. He could push it past me but there is no way he is getting past.
“Think of Thierry Henry and Gyokeres, it’s day and night. Try to play against Thierry, either way he goes it’s a problem. These players are a problem. Speed kills and I don’t see that Gyokeres is very quick.”
For Gyokeres, the challenge is now to respond through his performances and show Arsenal supporters why the club invested heavily in bringing him to the Emirates.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…
14 Premier League goals in 36 Appearances isn’t too shabby. It’s first season in a side facing low blocks all the time. And there were plenty enough matches he was up for a physical battle, so even without goal involvement the fight and effort Victor put in contributed to team performance, results, and the trophy.
@Moon Girl
I remember thinking the same thing about OG12. To me, he was the quintessential target man. But just about everyone else hated him. I only saw his contribution to the team.
14 PL goals on ~12 xG shows clinical finishing, not a lack of threat. Team limitations—right-heavy attack, quieter left side, and patient build-up against low blocks—often leave him with less space than at Sporting. Unfair to call him no one to fear when he’s delivering and contributing to a title.
We have to stop constantly dragging our players down.
Viktor Einar is a valuable part of our available players..
Looking at Man city situation, I am amazed at the lack of
personal morale standarrd, this has to be resolved in a
quick and decisive manner.
Looking at Arsenals attack as a whole doesn’t really fill me with confidence.
You have Havertz who is not a striker, a midfielder, or a number 10. if you had to choose one, I suppose it’s a number 10.
Merino is a midfielder who can do a job as a make-shift striker. But the only actual striker we’ve got at the club is Gyokeres.
Am I the only one to find that strange for a team that are the current Premier League Champions.
@DEREK
Very well put. That’s why I’ve been very critical at such an early juncture in the season. It seems as if all of management, Arteta included threw their hands up and Said “We’ve won the league after 20. Our job is done here” like they can cruise on last season’s accolades. Because I don’t see any real attempt at fortifying our squad in preparation for a defence of the league, or to make a decent go at the CL.
NY-Gunner,
If you look back at the successful teams over the years, they simply don’t stand still. I fear we have regards our attack.
Bringing in Tzolis who replaced Trossard. Then selling Martinelli without then replacing him. And if they’d replaced him, I still think they would have needed one more attacker in as well.
But in affect we’ve let two go, brought in one. Now some will say that we’ve signed some young players via the academy. Well their not ready for the first team are they.
So I say we’re actually weaker regards our attack than last season. And that for the current Champions just isn’t right.
@DEREK
Exactly. Not to mention, we have first team guys still carrying injury and no one to step in to replace them from the squad. I don’t see Guimaraes stepping up in midfield. Like Reggie once pointed out, Newcastle got the best out of him. Our hopes lie in the two youngsters. MLS and Dowman. Everyone else, besides Ode, is either burnt out, injured or not up for it.
NY-Gunner,
👍👍
But on the other hand in this discussion, before Haarland came along, Pep’s city won titles with no number 9, they were deploying “false 9s”
Barca had a similar summer to us, losing 9s not bringing any in? But have started well deploying Raphina in middle as “false 9”.