Viktor Gyökeres faces early scrutiny after Arsenal debut struggles
Arsenal’s Premier League season got off to a winning start with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but all eyes quickly turned to new signing Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker, brought in from Sporting Lisbon for over £63 million, was expected to make an immediate impact. Instead, his first two competitive appearances have sparked debate about whether he can shoulder the pressure of leading Arsenal’s attack.
Against United, Arsenal were forced to dig deep. United dominated possession and created far more chances, yet Arsenal held on, with Riccardo Calafiori’s set-piece goal proving the difference. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted his side weren’t at their best but praised their resilience. That resilience, he said, will be crucial over a long season. Still, the spotlight inevitably fell on Gyökeres, who failed to register a shot in the match—a first in nearly two years for the forward.
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Pundits and former players were quick to weigh in. Danny Murphy noted that Gyökeres’ struggles weren’t entirely his fault, pointing out that Arsenal’s creative players failed to find him in the right spaces. Daniel Sturridge echoed the sentiment, reminding fans that adapting to Arsenal’s system will take time, especially as he replaces a very different kind of striker in Kai Havertz. Even so, Sturridge stressed that Gyökeres must also adapt his own game to fit Arteta’s approach.
Then came more criticism during Arsenal’s second game, a 2–0 first-half lead over Leeds. Gary Neville, on Sky Sports commentary, admitted concern over Gyökeres’ limited involvement. In 42 minutes, the striker touched the ball just 12 times, only once inside the opposition penalty area. Neville described his play as “scruffy” and warned that pressure will mount quickly if he doesn’t start scoring. In a club chasing the title, fans expect a striker to deliver 20 goals or more, and every quiet performance will draw greater scrutiny.
Arteta, however, has stood firmly by his new signing. Before the Leeds match, he insisted that Gyökeres is “in a really good place” and emphasized the team’s responsibility to help him succeed. Bukayo Saka also came to his defense, saying he was “impressed” by the striker’s battling spirit at Old Trafford, even if the goals haven’t arrived yet. Saka reminded supporters that Gyökeres’ willingness to fight for the team is a strong foundation to build on.
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