Arsenal fans were full of hope when Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres joined the club from Sporting CP for £55 million in July. Last season, he scored a remarkable 43 goals, making him one of Europe’s most talked-about forwards.
However, Gyökeres has struggled to adjust to the Premier League’s pace. In 14 appearances so far, he has only scored four goals. Some highlight reels show him missing chances or moving heavily on the ball, fueling a debate about whether it is him or Arsenal’s build-up play that makes scoring difficult.
Fans immediately drew comparisons with other players. Haaland, for example, missed several chances in his early days in the Premier League. Similarly, Chelsea’s Kai Havertz needed time to adapt to English football.
Atop the table with 36 points, Arsenal still needs Gyökeres to find his form as the title race heats up. Every goal counts, and his confidence is under the spotlight.
Some fans argue that the Swedish striker is being judged too harshly. Buchi Laba tweeted, “How many goals does Isak and Sesko have for Liverpool and Manchester United when they both cost more than Gyökeres? The way Isak flops at Liverpool isn’t making headlines, but Gyökeres is everywhere—shows you how much the media hates Arsenal!”
Others defend his adjustment period. Uncle Abu replied, “Do you know how many chances Haaland missed in his first season when he won the Golden Boot? As a striker, you need chances. Gyökeres is fed crumbs, and people expect him to be 100% clinical on every shot!”
Some fans and pundits focus on the quality of chances he gets. 🥤𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 noted, “Some of these are definitely wasteful, but a couple of them involve him receiving the ball far from the box. He does reasonably well with the few opportunities he gets.”
Others noticed the physical and tactical adjustments needed for the Premier League. 🤲🏿 Allstate Alumni said, “He’s too heavy-footed to adjust quickly to crosses. He needs one extra touch to create separation because Premier League defenders are more athletic. Some misses look like bad luck too.”
Football Pundit also defended Gyökeres, saying, “Kai took his time too, and he moved from London to London. I hope Gyökeres starts scoring soon. At least he is a threat, and our wingers get more space to score because of him.”
Yet, criticism is also strong on social media. SAFKING joked, “First video is hilarious. A transition striker who can’t run. He takes three days to set up his shots, needs three or more touches, and lacks agility to trouble defenders. He plays like he’s in slow motion.”
Renaissance ⚔️ Morio pointed out the league’s challenges, tweeting, “The EPL is crazy because Gyökeres has everything except pace and the goal sniffing of Haaland. If he doesn’t lose upper body weight, his confidence will be cooked.”
Gyökeres’ struggles are not unusual for a player moving from Portugal’s Primeira Liga to England. The Premier League is faster, more physical, and defenders are more athletic. It’s common for even top strikers to need months to adjust.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been patient with Gyökeres, knowing that his presence can still create space for teammates. Gyökeres’ ability to hold the ball, link play, and stretch defenses adds tactical value beyond his goal tally.
Some analysts note that Arsenal’s style of play affects Gyökeres’ rhythm. Their patient build-up often leaves him isolated against organized defenses. Unlike the counter-attacking system in Portugal, Arsenal requires him to make multiple movements and touches to find shooting positions.
Despite the criticism, Gyökeres has shown flashes of brilliance. A few of his touches, hold-ups, and runs have created scoring opportunities for teammates, even if he didn’t finish them himself.
Physically, some argue he needs to adapt. Increasing agility, adjusting movement speed, and improving reaction in tight spaces could help him become more dangerous in the box.
Fans are split: some want immediate results, others urge patience, highlighting that other big-money signings also needed time. Historical examples in the Premier League show that even top strikers can take 10–15 games to find rhythm.
Gyökeres himself remains calm in interviews, stressing adaptation rather than pressure. “I know it’s different here, the pace is higher, and defenders are stronger,” he said. “I focus on improving every game and helping the team.”
Arsenal still believes in his potential. With the title race intensifying, the club hopes that Gyökeres’ confidence and form will rise, turning missed chances into match-winning goals.
Some fans remain optimistic. Social media conversations often praise his movement, link-up play, and positioning, suggesting that once he adapts fully, the goals will follow.
The next few games will be crucial. Every performance is under scrutiny, and Gyökeres will need to show why Arsenal invested £55 million in him.
In the end, his journey in the Premier League is a test of patience, resilience, and adaptability. Arsenal fans hope that this adjustment period is temporary and that Gyökeres’ goals will soon match his talent.
