Why Viktor Gyokeres Could Be the Striker Arsenal Have Been Missing

Arsenal have finally secured Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP in a deal worth up to £64 million. The Swedish international comes with a huge reputation after an outstanding season in Portugal, scoring 54 goals and providing 11 assists in just 52 matches. Despite playing outside the traditional top five leagues, Gyokeres’ numbers have turned heads across Europe, and Arsenal hope he’ll end their long-standing goal-scoring issues.

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The move also reflects Arsenal’s serious intent under Mikel Arteta. Last season, Kai Havertz was the club’s top scorer with just 15 goals, and injuries only made the lack of firepower more obvious. By contrast, Gyokeres offers both quantity and variety in his attacking play. His size, strength, and direct style bring a different dimension to Arsenal’s attacking options, which have often relied too much on intricate build-up play. Gyokeres is known for his pressing, fast breaks, and willingness to chase every ball something Arsenal sorely lacked up front. With him leading the line, the Gunners can play more directly when needed and break down stubborn defenses. For Arteta, who has craved a physical and consistent striker, this signing might finally offer the tactical flexibility he’s wanted.

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While Gyokeres offers many benefits goal-scoring, physicality, and high work rate he also has areas to improve if he’s to succeed in the Premier League. His passing accuracy was just 73.2% last season, the lowest among Arsenal’s outfield players. In a team that thrives on slick passing, that’s a concern. Arteta will expect Gyokeres to tighten his distribution to stay involved in Arsenal’s build-up play. Another key point is his duel success rate. He attempted 443 one-on-one challenges last season far more than any Arsenal player but only won just over half. In the more physical and fast-paced Premier League, improving this stat could make him even more dangerous in and around the box. That said, his expected goals (xG) of 38.42 was vastly higher than anyone at Arsenal, showing he gets into high-quality positions and finishes often. If the Gunners adapt to his style using more long balls and through passes to exploit his pace Gyokeres could thrive and help solve Arsenal’s predictability in attack. With Arsenal often falling short in big moments, especially in front of goal, Gyokeres might be the missing piece in Arteta’s jigsaw a striker who can finally turn chances into goals and push the club toward a long-awaited Premier League title.