By Martin Graham
Arsenal’s opening to the campaign has been strong, with eight victories from ten fixtures, yet new center-forward Viktor Gyokeres has experienced a more complex start.
The Swedish international struck three times across his first four outings following a £64m transfer but has not added to that tally in his past six appearances. After the Gunners’ 2-0 win over West Ham, Mikel Arteta embraced the striker in appreciation of his effort.
Due to Kai Havertz’s knee problem, Gyokeres has featured for the full 90 minutes in six matches — a heavier workload than initially planned. Havertz’s injury limited rotation options and may have altered team selection for key away trips to Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal without completing a full preseason, having sat out sessions at Sporting as he pushed for the move. His reputation in Portugal was formidable, with 97 goals in 102 matches, and he was brought in to help deliver silverware. While his current return is modest, Arsenal’s results have not suffered.
Tactical shifts and statistical snapshots
Arsenal’s approach this season has been adjusted to play through central areas faster and employ a more vertical style, designed to suit Gyokeres’ movement behind defenders rather than dropping into midfield as Havertz often does.
Midfielders have looked to release him with quick passes, and this intent is reflected in his 23 scoring opportunities so far. Of those, he has managed seven efforts on target, including one from the spot.
Crossing has also become more prominent in Arsenal’s attacking patterns, aimed at creating additional openings. One of Gyokeres’ goals came via a penalty during the 5-0 victory over Leeds when Bukayo Saka had already been substituted. Although Arteta described him as the club’s best penalty taker, Saka took the recent spot-kick against West Ham while both were on the field.
Saka, who marked his 200th Premier League appearance in that match, expressed his support for the striker, praising his movement, strength, and contribution to the team’s attacking threat, stating that goals will inevitably follow.
Factors behind the slow build
Gyokeres began the season still regaining sharpness after limited preparation, and Havertz’s absence accelerated his integration. The timing has meant that combinations with the creative players behind him — Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Gabriel Martinelli — are still developing.
The forward consistently searches for spaces between defenders and provides an outlet for direct balls, but Premier League center backs present a different physical challenge compared to Portugal. Adapting to those duels is essential for his progress.
His determination and resilience are regularly highlighted, and expectations around him are high, reflected in record-breaking shirt sales upon his arrival. His teammates clearly want him to succeed — Martinelli, for example, almost allowed one of his shots to roll in against Olympiacos before following up on the rebound.
Signs of promise going forward
Although his performances have not been accompanied by a steady flow of goals recently, there are indications improvement is likely. Arsenal’s altered playing style is tailored to his strengths, and the relationships within the front line are still forming.
Gyokeres may not possess the same aesthetic appeal as some forwards in the league, but his presence, work rate, and willingness to make runs offer Arsenal a different dimension. With time, fitness, and familiarity, he has the platform to fulfill the role he was signed for.
