Arsenal fans were buzzing when Viktor Gyokeres joined the club this summer for a huge £64 million fee. The Swedish striker came in with high hopes after scoring goals freely in Portugal. But his Premier League debut did not go as planned.
Gyokeres made his first appearance against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend. Arsenal won the game, but the striker failed to make a big impact. He didn’t have a single shot on goal and looked a little lost in front of the net.
To calm the nerves of fans, Arsenal posted a training video online. In the clip, Gyokeres controlled the ball well, created space, and fired a sharp finish at the near post. On the surface, it looked like a promising moment from the new signing.
But not everyone was convinced. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand quickly jumped in with a cheeky remark. “Pascal Cygan marking him?” Ferdinand asked, referring to the retired Arsenal defender who hung up his boots back in 2011.
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His comment suggested the defending in the clip was far too weak. And he wasn’t the only one who noticed. Many fans on social media said the same thing: the finish looked good, but the space he had in training won’t exist in a real Premier League match.
One fan wrote: “Why wasn’t William Saliba marking him?” Another supporter went even further and joked: “Bring Nicolas Jackson instead!”
Some were even more direct. One comment that went viral read: “Takes six touches in the box and two business days to pull the trigger. Is he gonna get that time and space in the Premier League? The answer’s no.”
Clearly, Gyokeres still has a lot to prove. Fans are excited, but also anxious about whether their expensive new striker can handle the pressure of English football.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, stayed positive after the debut. He said the striker did “a lot of things very good,” especially in terms of pressing and movement.
Arteta admitted that Gyokeres didn’t get enough clear chances to show his finishing ability. “We had to play that last ball better,” the coach explained. “When we did, he showed his quality. But overall, winning your first Arsenal game away at Manchester United is a good start.”
It’s clear that Arteta is focusing on the bigger picture. For him, Gyokeres is not just about scoring goals. His work off the ball and his pressing are key to the way Arsenal want to play.
Still, the debate continues online. Some believe that once Gyokeres scores his first goal, the confidence will flow, and he will be unstoppable. Others fear that the Premier League might be too quick and too physical for him.
Arsenal’s next chance to see their new striker in action will be at the Emirates Stadium this Saturday. They face newly-promoted Leeds United, managed by Daniel Farke. Leeds are full of energy after their opening win against Everton, which came from a late penalty by Felix Nmecha.
The clash promises to be an exciting one. Arsenal will look to build on their momentum, while Leeds will aim to shock another big opponent. All eyes, though, will be on Gyokeres to see if he can finally break his duck and score his first Premier League goal.
Adding to Arsenal’s drama is the injury to Kai Havertz. The German midfielder hurt his knee and is set to miss the Leeds game. This is a big blow, as Havertz had only just returned from a hamstring problem that kept him out for three months last season.
Reports from The Athletic say Arsenal’s medical team is still assessing Havertz to find out how long he will be sidelined. Fans will be hoping it is not another lengthy absence.
On the positive side, Arsenal could have a new player available soon. Eberechi Eze has been linked with a move to the Emirates, and if the deal goes through quickly, he might even feature against Leeds. His creativity and flair could be a huge boost to Arteta’s squad.
For now, though, the spotlight remains firmly on Viktor Gyokeres. Every touch, every shot, and every mistake will be watched closely. Big-money signings always carry big expectations, and Arsenal fans want instant results.
The Premier League is unforgiving. Strikers get little time or space, and defenders punish every hesitation. That’s why Ferdinand and others are raising questions already. Can Gyokeres adapt? Can he deliver goals against real opponents, not just training dummies?
The coming weeks will give us the answers. One thing is sure: Arsenal’s £64m man has no time to waste. The pressure is on, and the world is watching.
