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Gyokeres transfer doubters were RIGHT as Arteta questions Arsenal stars
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 16 Dec 2025 10:54 GMT
- 4 min read
News
Viktor Gyokeres’ poor run of form is proving his doubters true according to observers who questioned his big money transfer to Arsenal this summer.
Arsenal spent €65 million to sign Gyokeres this summer in a long-drawn transfer saga after his prolific spell with Sporting Lisbon but the Swede has scored in his two of his last 16 appearances.
Current ETV
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres
F (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€66.8M - €81.6M
Gyokeres’ poor run of form came to a head in Arsenal’s narrow 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend in which the 27-year-old had just 15 touches of the ball across 80 minutes – less than any starter on the pitch.
Despite Arsenal’s charge to the top of the table, the signing of Gyokeres has come into question by some, including Jamie Carragher, who believes the concerns over his signing could be correct.
“The word on the street before he came to the Premier League was that ‘we’re not sure whether he’s at the level of a really top European club’, which is what Arsenal are – one of the best teams in Europe,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“I think even though it’s early in his Arsenal reign, you can see where that sentiment was coming from. I actually think it’s going to be tough for Gyokeres to be the first-choice Arsenal striker.”
Arteta comes to Gyokeres defence amid ‘pressure’ signing
The sentiment was also echoed by former Manchester United stars Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, with a belief that Mikel Arteta only moved for Gyokeres due to ‘pressure’ and because he was the ‘last striker available’.
“It’s the pressure. The pressure to buy a centre forward,” Butt said on The Good, The Bad & The Football Podcast. “The pressure to buy a striker at a club who keep nearly winning the title is massive.”
“I think Gyokeres was the last one available as well,” Scholes added, having seen the likes of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak move to Arsenal’s Premier League rivals.
However, in spite of the criticsm, Arteta stood buy Gyokeres and called on his Arsenal stars to do more to get the best out of his new number nine.
"It's a collaboration between the two,” Arteta said when asked whether Gyokeres needs to improve or whether better service is required from his teammates.
“He was in a lot of really good positions and the ball didn't get into the area quick enough, sharp enough or just with the precision that is required for a No.9 to score the goal. But his work rate and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting."
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