Always disappearing in big matches, is Gyokeres truly Arsenal's 'flop'?

Victor Gyokeres joined Arsenal amid great anticipation, but the striker's displays have not fully convinced supporters so far.

Viktor Gyokeres has quickly become a hot topic at Arsenal just a few rounds into the 2025/26 Premier League season. The Swedish forward was brought to Emirates by Mikel Arteta for £60 million, expected to solve Arsenal's “penalty box striker” dilemma.

However, Gyokeres' playing style strikes many as unusual. He appears somewhat clumsy and lacks the artistic flair that has long been Arsenal’s hallmark. In major clashes against Man United, Liverpool, or Man City, Gyokeres is almost “invisible” because Arteta tends to opt for safer, less risky tactics.

Because of this, many have prematurely labeled him as a “flop”, as well as a “failed signing” despite the season just beginning. On social media, debates about Gyokeres are lively, with one side arguing he can’t create chances himself and only excels at finishing, while the other claims this is exactly the quality Arsenal has been missing to reach trophies.

What’s undeniable is Gyokeres' sharp goal-scoring instinct. In matches where Arteta “lets loose,” allowing Arsenal to dominate weaker teams, the 28-year-old striker immediately shines. So far, he is only behind Erling Haaland in Premier League goal tally. With a long schedule and mostly non-elite opponents ahead, his chances to score regularly are very promising.

He might be tagged as a “big game player in small matches”. But in reality, these are the goals Arsenal lacked in previous seasons, when the Gunners dropped points against lesser teams and eventually fell short in the title race.

Arteta currently has a young, disciplined squad that has been criticized for lacking a “penalty box killer.” Gyokeres, though not flashy, can address that issue. He may not always shine in big games, but if he consistently scores 20–25 goals a season, Arsenal will still have a strong chance to win the title.

Perhaps the story about Gyokeres is not whether he is “worth £60 million,” but whether he delivers exactly what Arsenal has long lacked: consistency against weaker opponents. If he achieves that, he will help the Gunners reclaim the Premier League throne after many years, despite all doubts.