Former Arsenal Star Kieran Gibbs Backs Struggling Striker Viktor Gyokeres
Kieran Gibbs, the former Arsenal defender, has mounted a robust defence of under-pressure striker Viktor Gyokeres, stating "I love him" while acknowledging the Swedish international's challenging start to life in North London. Gibbs, who played alongside current Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in two FA Cup-winning sides, believes it is premature to label the summer signing a failure, despite his difficulties adapting to the Premier League.
Gyokeres' Adaptation Struggles in the Premier League
Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2025, has found the transition to English football demanding. The 27-year-old has not scored from open play in the Premier League since September, and he began the recent match against Manchester United on the bench. While he showed promise with two goals in cup fixtures against Chelsea and Inter Milan, his cameo appearance against United failed to make a significant impact, fuelling criticism from some quarters.
Gibbs' Analysis: A Team in Transition
Speaking to ESPN FC, Gibbs offered a nuanced perspective on Gyokeres' situation. He argued that the issue is not solely with the striker but involves the entire Arsenal squad adjusting to a new tactical profile. "I think they're conditioned, if you go back over the last 10 years, all Arsenal fans have really been crying out for is a centre forward," Gibbs explained. "I think Gyokeres has only just come in to fit that profile of the type of striker that Arsenal have desperately wanted for so many years."
Gibbs emphasised that the team is accustomed to playing without a traditional focal point in attack, leading to an inevitable period of adaptation. "The majority of the team are conditioned to playing without an out and out centre forward so I think there's just an adjustment period there with Gyokeres," he stated. He added that it is taking time not just for Gyokeres, but for his teammates to learn how to effectively utilise his strengths.
Call for Patience and Context
When questioned about whether Mikel Arteta might be losing faith in his marquee summer signing, Gibbs was unequivocal. "I don't think you can call him a bust after six months; you've got to give him more time," he asserted. He described Gyokeres as "an out and out goalscorer, a born goalscorer", whose success is interdependent with the team's overall performance.
Gibbs also contextualised Gyokeres' goal drought by pointing to a broader dip in form across Arsenal's attacking line. "If you take him into consideration across the board there's been a bit of a drought. Martinelli, Saka, Madueke, I think we're used to seeing across the front three high numbers so I don't think it's solely on him," he noted, suggesting the issue is collective rather than individual.
Mental Hurdles and Future Prospects
The former England international also touched on the psychological aspect of Arsenal's campaign. "For me it's purely mental and listen I wasn't part of a team that won the Premier League so I don't know what it takes to get past that final hurdle," Gibbs admitted. "From the outside it looks like they've lost that enjoyment and they are just desperate to get the job done."
Looking ahead, Gibbs hinted that Arteta might prefer Kai Havertz as his first-choice striker when fit, but he remains a staunch advocate for giving Gyokeres the time and support needed to succeed at the Emirates Stadium. The coming months are set to be crucial for the Swedish striker as he seeks to justify his transfer and win over any remaining doubters.
