Arsenal's Big-Money Striker Faces Scrutiny After Mixed Start
Mikel Arteta has received a stark warning regarding his £64 million summer acquisition, with pundits suggesting Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres may not possess the necessary quality to spearhead Arsenal's attack or propel them to Premier League championship success. The 27-year-old forward, who joined from Sporting Lisbon with considerable fanfare following a prolific spell in Portugal, has managed just 10 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners.
Goal Return Fails to Match Portuguese Pedigree
Gyokeres' tally includes a mere five Premier League strikes, a significant drop from his astonishing record of 97 goals in 102 games during his time in Portugal. This dip in form has led to increased scrutiny, particularly after he was relegated to the bench for Arsenal's recent Premier League defeat to Manchester United. Arteta opted for the returning Gabriel Jesus, who has recovered from a long injury lay-off, while Kai Havertz's comeback further intensifies competition for attacking roles within the squad.
Despite Arteta's consistent public defence of Gyokeres, emphasising the striker's often overlooked contributions to the team's overall play, former Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich midfielder Dietmar Hamann has delivered a damning assessment. "I always said Arsenal needed a centre-forward," Hamann stated in an interview with CasinoBeats. "Somebody with a physical presence who can occupy defenders and create space for wingers like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli."
Expert Analysis Questions Striker's Elite Level
Hamann elaborated on his concerns, questioning whether Gyokeres has the requisite ability to perform against Europe's and the Premier League's finest defenders. "I don't think he's one of the top strikers in Europe," he asserted. "He's a goal scorer, but against the best teams, that might not be enough. I'm not sure he gets into the right positions to score. They brought him in as the centre-forward, but I don't think he's good enough."
The pundit highlighted the increased physical demands of the English top flight compared to Liga Portugal, suggesting the relentless nature of the game could be impacting Gyokeres' effectiveness in crucial moments. "It's a very physical game and sometimes it can wear you out. If you get a chance after 70 minutes, maybe you lack that energy and concentration," Hamann added, casting doubt on the striker's capacity to be the decisive factor in a title race.
Glimmer of Hope Amidst Growing Pressure
In a minor reprieve, Gyokeres did find the net during Arsenal's midweek Champions League victory over Kairat, a result that secured top spot in their group. However, with the Gunners having failed to win any of their last three league matches, the pressure is mounting ahead of their weekend trip to face a resurgent Leeds United. Leeds, after a tough reintroduction to the Premier League, have lost only once in their last eleven games, creating a potentially tricky fixture for Arteta's side.
The ongoing debate surrounding Gyokeres' suitability underscores the immense pressure and expectation placed on major signings at elite clubs. While Arteta continues to preach patience and highlight the striker's broader role, external voices like Hamann's are questioning whether the £64 million investment will ultimately deliver the firepower needed to end Arsenal's long wait for a Premier League crown.
