By George Collins – 5th November 2025
| Name | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Age | 27 |
| Height | 1.89m |
| Club | Arsenal |
| Nationality | Sweden |
| Position | Striker |
| Transfer Value | $86,000,000 |
| Preferred foot | Right |
After being substituted at half time in Arsenal’s most recent Premier League match vs Burnley, there are reports that Gyokeres will be sidelined for the next few weeks. It is safe to safe after his prolific spell at Sporting Lisbon the past seasons it has not been the easiest start for the Swedish international so far. With 6 goals in 14 games this season, many fans have been critical of his performances, but has this been too harsh? In this piece I will analyse Gyokeres attacking involvement which gives Arsenal a more robust threat upfront which they have been lacking in the last few years.
Even with, due to his standards, a slow scoring start with his new club he is still the club’s top scorer. With the likes of Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined with serious injuries the focal point of the team has been weighted heavily of Gyokeres.
What does Gyokeres bring to Arsenal?
When watching Arsenal, it is clear to see that the introduction of a tall and physical presence up front has changed the way they play. We know Arsenal are great in possession, but they have struggled at times to vary their attacking play and become very defendable. Now they have a target man who can they use to link the lay, Gyokeres off the ball work cannot be undervalued. Occupying the opponents’ central defenders has allowed more space for Arsenals wide players to exploit; this has given them more opportunities to penetrate.
The graphic above shows Gyokeres defensive actions. As a center forward, his defensive actions are all over the opponent’s half showing his work rate and willingness to do the dirty work for his team. Before his introduction Arsenal was classed as weak upfront with only elegant players to defend against. Now they have a brute who can bully defenders. As of right now he might not be scoring as many goals as other forwards, but he has changed this Arsenal team and given them more of an unpredictable nature which might just be what they need to finally clinch their first league title since 2004.
Comparison to Ekitike
Most fans would agree after spending over 500million in the summer that Hugo Ekitike has settled the best for Liverpool. He has been classed by many as the signing of the summer and taunted Arsenal fans by rivals. But is it justified? When we look at a graph showing the comparison of both players, it is clear to see Gyokeres supremacy in nearly every attribute except assists. So, for all the slander Gyokeres has been receiving he has actually outperformed Ekitike.
