Gyökeres Faces Old Club as Arsenal Meet Brighton in EFL Cup Clash
As Arsenal gear up to face Brighton in the EFL Cup this Wednesday, all eyes are on Viktor Gyökeres — the Swedish forward who once wore Brighton’s colours but never quite found his footing there. Now, he returns to meet his former club, not as a prospect struggling for minutes, but as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers and the proud holder of the Gerd Müller Trophy for most goals scored in 2025.
It’s an interesting twist of fate. Brighton, a club known for spotting and developing young talent, once had Gyökeres in their ranks but sold him to Coventry City for just £1 million back in 2021. Since then, his career has skyrocketed — first at Sporting CP, where his goalscoring made him a £20 million player, and now at Arsenal, who secured his services for an incredible £63.5 million.
But what exactly went wrong at Brighton? Why did this goal machine not make it when others like Ben White and Alexis Mac Allister flourished?
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Part of it came down to timing and position. Back then, Gyökeres was not playing as a centre forward. He was mostly used as a winger — often on the left side of a 4-3-3 formation. Former teammate Josh Kerr recalls that Gyökeres was versatile but never truly established as Brighton’s main striker. “He could play through the middle, but we had Aaron Connolly leading the line,” Kerr explained. “Viktor was strong, hardworking, and had a great attitude — but back then, the team wasn’t playing expansive football. It was more about survival.”
That focus on staying in the Premier League meant fewer opportunities for young players to break into the first team. Gyökeres managed only eight senior appearances for the Seagulls and scored just one goal — ironically, also in the EFL Cup.
Still, those who trained with him noticed glimpses of the player he would become. His trademark runs from the left flank, powerful sprints, and unrelenting work ethic were already visible. Kerr remembers, “Even then, when Viktor picked up the ball near halfway and drove toward goal, you could see defenders panic. He was just raw power.”
When Brighton decided to sell, Gyökeres saw it as a chance to reset. Coventry City offered him regular football, and that stability changed everything. His physical transformation, combined with relentless training, made him one of Europe’s most complete forwards.
Now, under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, that same hunger and humility remain. Even during goal droughts, his pressing, teamwork, and unselfish play have been praised. As Arsenal chase an eighth straight win in all competitions, Gyökeres’ reunion with Brighton carries an emotional weight — a reminder of how far he’s come, and how football’s paths often twist before leading to glory.
When the whistle blows at the Emirates, it won’t just be an EFL Cup tie. It will be the story of a player once overlooked, now standing tall as one of the Premier League’s brightest stars.
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