Arsenal fans finally got their first look at Viktor Gyökeres in the red and white jersey during the dramatic Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Gunners won the match, but manager Mikel Arteta’s words after the game revealed a big area of concern.
The Swedish striker, signed for over £60 million from Sporting Lisbon, was expected to light up the pitch with his goalscoring power. Instead, Gyökeres found himself struggling to fully settle into Arsenal’s system on his debut.
Arteta openly admitted after the game that there is serious work to do, especially when it comes to pressing and off-the-ball movement. “Manchester United had a bit too much time,” the manager explained.
The Spaniard stressed that Gyökeres has the qualities Arsenal need but pointed out that the striker must adapt to their high-intensity system quickly. Arsenal’s pressing game is one of the toughest in the Premier League, and Gyökeres will need to catch up fast.
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Even though the striker didn’t score, Arteta reminded fans to see the bigger picture. “In the final action situation, he did not have that many chances. We did not manage to put the ball through to exploit his quality,” he said.
Arsenal supporters will agree with Arteta on one thing: the debut wasn’t a complete disaster. Winning at Old Trafford is never easy, especially in the first game of the season. The fact that Arsenal came away with three points is something both Gyökeres and the team can build on.
Still, the numbers don’t lie. Gyökeres had just 21 touches during his time on the pitch. Out of nine passes, only four reached a teammate. Even more worrying, he failed to register a single shot on target.
For a striker who scored nearly 100 goals in two years at Sporting Lisbon, those statistics were a shock. Only three of his touches came inside United’s penalty area before he was substituted in the 60th minute for Kai Havertz.
Arsenal fans had been buzzing all summer after the club made Gyökeres their marquee signing. The expectation was that he would step into the role of main striker and fire them toward the Premier League title. But this debut served as a reality check.
Arteta, however, was quick to calm nerves. He highlighted the importance of patience as Gyökeres learns the rhythm of English football once again. The Swede previously played in the Championship, but the Premier League is a different level.
“It is a good start,” Arteta reassured. “Coming away to Manchester United, winning your first game with Arsenal, is something positive to build on.”
There’s no doubt Gyökeres has the raw talent. At Sporting, he was unstoppable, bullying defenders, running the channels, and scoring all types of goals. Arsenal fans know this is not the finished product yet.
Many analysts pointed out that Arsenal didn’t create enough chances for him. Without the right service, even the best strikers in the world can look ineffective. The problem, then, is not just Gyökeres adapting but also Arsenal learning how to use his strengths.
Some fans online were quick to defend him, saying the criticism was unfair. “It’s his first game, at Old Trafford of all places. Give him time,” wrote one supporter on X (Twitter).
Others, though, questioned the decision to choose him over Benjamin Šeško, who ended up joining Manchester United instead. The Slovenian came off the bench for United in the same game but couldn’t find an equalizer.
That battle between Gyökeres and Šeško will surely be watched all season long. Every goal from one will invite comparisons with the other. For now, Arsenal’s man needs time to prove the club made the right decision.
What is clear is that Arteta will not lower his demands. His system requires every player, especially the striker, to work relentlessly off the ball. If Gyökeres can add that pressing intensity to his natural goalscoring instincts, Arsenal might finally have the complete forward they’ve been looking for.
Until then, the spotlight will remain firmly on him. The pressure of a £60 million price tag, the expectations of the Emirates crowd, and the reality of English football mean Gyökeres must adapt quickly.
The good news? The Premier League season is long, and this was only the beginning. Arsenal have time to polish their new weapon. Gyökeres has time to silence the critics. And who knows? His next game could be the one that changes the narrative completely.
For now, Arteta’s words will ring in the ears of Arsenal fans: “We have to work on him.”
