Arsenal take note: Potter unlocks Gyokeres at his best

Robin Bairner

Updated: 27 Mar 2026 12:38 GMT
5 min read

Graham Potter, Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Viktor Gyokeres is the toast of Sweden after scoring three goals for the national team in a World Cup qualifying victory over Ukraine that puts Graham Potter’s side within touching distance of the finals.

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Gyokeres’ scoring form with the national team comes in stark contrast to his struggles in this regard with Arsenal. It took the 27-year-old only 73 minutes to strike three times against Ukraine – the same number of goals he has netted with the Gunners since coming off the bench to score twice against Sunderland on 7 February.

As such, the €65 million summer signing from Sporting CP has split opinion at the Emirates Stadium. His overall impact has been commendable, but many fans expected a healthier goal return than 16 across all competitions from a player who arrived with much fanfare.

Current ETV

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal

Viktor Gyökeres

F (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€67.6M - €82.6M

“We suffered at times,” ex-Chelsea boss Potter admitted to Viaplay (via FotbollSkanalen) after the game. “But Viktor was world class, and when you have players like that you always have a chance.”

Few would claim that the Gyokeres who Arsenal have signed has fallen into this “world-class” bracket that Potter has put him in.

What can Arteta do to have his No.9 replicate what he achieved for Sweden back in North London?

🇸🇪 Viktor Gyokeres vs Ukraine

Hat trick to take his country one step closer to the World Cup!pic.twitter.com/0BjRCnjatd
— AFC_Adi (@AFC_Adi06) March 27, 2026

Gyokeres’ Sweden role differs from Arsenal

Potter got the best out of Gyokeres against Ukraine by deploying him as a classic penalty-box striker. He was the fixed reference point in attack, involved with a lot of touches, heavy duel involvement and three goals from high-quality chances.

At Arsenal, his role is less clear cut. While against the likes of Spurs and Brentford he has played in this manner – and he notably scored two goals in the North London derby – Arteta has often asked his centre-forward to sacrifice himself for the good of the team. The Gyokeres seen at Arsenal is one who links play more and troubles centre-backs with his running.

This is emphasised by a low shot count while with the Emirates side. Indeed, he has had only three shots for Arsenal across his last five appearances for the Gunners, totalling more than six hours of pitch time.

Arteta sacrificing Gyokeres for the good of the team

Gyokeres is, in essence, being asked to play two distinct roles. His job with Sweden is what many Arsenal fans expected he was brought to the club to do: score goals and act as a pure No.9.

In reality, his job for Arteta is far more nuanced and varies from match to match. His importance does not come from his goal contribution but instead from his tactical versatility and ability to free up others to star. Often, this means sacrificing his goal tally for the good of the side.

With the Premier League leaders placing an emphasis on ball control and positional rotation, the reality is that the former Coventry hitman is rarely given a fixed role like he does with his national team.

Arteta isn’t interested in getting the best out of Gyokeres; he wants to get the best out of his unit. If that means the Swede’s impact is lessened, then that’s a sacrifice he’s prepared to make. Crucially, it also appears that it’s a blow the striker is prepared to shoulder – even if it means criticism for his comparatively low goal tally.

Potter’s Sweden showed what can happen when Gyokeres is trusted as the focal point rather than the facilitator. For Arteta, the challenge isn’t rediscovering the player’s scoring touch, it’s deciding when Arsenal need the striker he bought, rather than the one he’s made.

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