When Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal in the summer, expectations exploded overnight. Fans believed the Swedish striker would instantly transform the Gunners’ attack. His reputation came from Portugal, where he terrorised defenders and finished as the most prolific striker in Europe.
Gyokeres arrived in north London after completing a £63 million transfer from Sporting Clube de Portugal. The move followed a dramatic exit from Portugal and marked one of Arsenal’s biggest signings of the season. Everything pointed to a perfect match.
In Portugal, Gyokeres was unstoppable. He scored 63 goals in 58 matches across the Liga Portugal, Champions League, and domestic cup competitions. Defenders struggled with his strength, speed, and direct style. Arsenal believed that same power would carry into the Premier League.
But football in England has proven different. After his first few months at the Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres has scored just five goals in 15 Premier League matches. While not disastrous, the numbers are far below what many expected from a striker with his reputation.
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These early struggles have sparked debate. Some pundits question whether he fits Arsenal’s system. Others argue the Premier League simply takes time to master. Through it all, Mikel Arteta has stood by his striker, publicly defending him and calling for patience.
To understand the deeper reasons behind Gyokeres’ slow start, Portuguese journalist Miguel Costa, who followed his rise at Sporting, shared exclusive insight into the situation.
“When he joined Sporting, there were a lot of questions about his ability to make an impact in Portugal,” Costa explained. “The price that Sporting paid €24 million (£21m) fuelled further uncertainty amongst fans but he turned the game around and gave the club an unimaginable return, both on and off the pitch.”
Costa believes Gyokeres has faced doubt before, and beaten it. But England presents a new level of challenge.
“[In England], I believe pre-season was the primary factor in his initial difficulties,” Costa said. “Having not had that preparation with the rest of the players clearly hampered his initial adaptation.”
Without a full pre-season, Gyokeres struggled to build chemistry with Arsenal’s attack. Timing, movement, and understanding are critical in Arteta’s system, and those elements take time.
“We can see he has struggled to adapt to his teammates and quickly achieve a competitive rhythm in a league completely different from the Portuguese one,” Costa added. “The collective weakness of the teams is greater than in the Premier League.”
Physicality is another major hurdle. According to Costa, every Premier League match demands strength, speed, and technical sharpness at the highest level.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world where there is a more physical demand which is evident in every match,” he said. “There is a very high technical dimension that Gyokeres does not fully master.”
Costa explained that Gyokeres must improve in combination play, decision-making, and dribbling in tight spaces, all essential skills for a striker playing in a dominant possession-based team like Arsenal.
The tactical system has also limited Gyokeres’ biggest weapon: speed.
“Arsenal’s style of play does not favour Gyokeres the same way it did at Sporting,” Costa explained. “The Gunners play mostly with the ball and in positional attack, which does not allow the Swede to explore speed, which is the main characteristic of his game.”
At Sporting, Gyokeres thrived when space opened up. In England, Arsenal often face deep defensive blocks that leave little room to run.
“Technically, he’s a player less evolved and without space, not having the same impact that he did in Portugal,” Costa added.
Pressing is not the issue. Gyokeres works hard defensively. But Arsenal’s quick passing and positional structure make adaptation harder.
“In Portugal, there was considerable discussion about Gyokeres’ suitability for Arsenal’s model,” Costa revealed. “The rapid passing game makes his adaptation difficult and, consequently, hinders the fluidity of the team’s attacks.”
Costa does not believe Arteta will change his system to suit Gyokeres.
“I think he will hardly fit in ‘naturally’ as Mikel Arteta has his own very defined game model,” he said. “The change will have to come from the player, through hard work in training.”
Another key issue is service. Costa believes Gyokeres is not receiving enough support from teammates in dangerous moments.
“[They can] explore Gyokeres’ counter-attacks and inside-out movements more,” he explained, even though Arsenal dominate most matches.
Interestingly, Costa believes Gyokeres could shine in the Champions League, where opponents play more open football.
“In the Champions League, Gyokeres can make the difference,” he said. “Against teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG, there will be more space.”
“In ‘open’ games, he can make the difference coming off the bench,” Costa added. “His speed and strength can be decisive.”
Competition inside the squad is also rising. Gabriel Jesus has returned from injury in excellent form and fits Arteta’s system perfectly.
“Yes, potentially [a threat],” Costa admitted. “The Brazilian is a more associative player and fits perfectly into what Arteta wants.”
However, Gyokeres still has an advantage.
“Gyokeres’ physical attributes put him ahead of his teammate in certain competitive contexts,” Costa said, while stressing that “patience is fundamental.”
Despite the slow start, optimism remains strong. Arteta is known for trusting his players long-term, and Gyokeres has already proven his quality at elite level.
“The first season is always more complicated at all levels,” Costa concluded. “But I am optimistic about the next season for the former Sporting striker, who already has better chemistry with the team.”
His record in Portugal remains historic.
“He was, without a doubt, one of the best strikers ever to play in Portuguese football,” Costa said. “102 games, 97 goals and 27 assists. Stratospheric numbers.”
For Arsenal supporters, the message is clear. Viktor Gyokeres is not finished. His journey in England is still beginning, and patience may yet unlock the striker who once ruled Europe.
