Surpassing Haaland, Gyokeres Leads the Premier League

13/10/2025 11:23:00 VictoryVox

Despite criticism over his goal-scoring record, Viktor Gyokeres is outperforming every Premier League striker—including Erling Haaland—in the crucial statistic of movement intensity and applying pressure.

When Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting CP for a hefty fee, many expected him to instantly become one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards. Scoring three goals in his first four games gave fans hope that the Gunners had found their perfect striker. However, since then, Gyokeres has yet to score again, and a wave of criticism quickly followed from both experts and supporters alike.

Nevertheless, the numbers behind his performance tell a completely different story. According to data from the official Premier League website, Viktor Gyokeres has covered a total of 71.7 km in just seven matches, more than any other forward in England’s top flight. Moreover, he is also the player who applies the most pressure in the final third and penalty area, outperforming even Erling Haaland—famous for his lethal goal-scoring ability.

Though criticized for his low goal tally, Gyokeres proves his worth through relentless playing style

This figure highlights that Gyokeres’ impact lies not in goals but in his intensity, constant movement, and fighting spirit. He keeps opposing defenses unsettled, consistently creating space for teammates to exploit. “No one in the Premier League runs more and presses as effectively as Gyokeres,”a Sky Sports analyst commented.

The only difference between Gyokeres and Haaland right now is finishing ability. The Swedish striker works tirelessly and moves intelligently but often doesn’t receive the right passes from teammates. “He creates chances rather than just waiting to receive the ball,”coach Mikel Arteta once said, implying that the issue lies with the team’s support rather than the striker himself.

In his 10 appearances for Arsenal, Gyokeres has made countless runs to open spaces, but many opportunities are missed because teammates opt for different options. Numerous crosses and passes into the 18-yard box have never reached him. Therefore, his goal-scoring stats do not fully reflect his true contribution.

Gyokeres not only applies constant pressure but also generates numerous chances for his Arsenal teammates

At 27, Gyokeres is showing the qualities of a modern striker—not only scoring but actively involved in all attacking phases. If Arsenal improves their coordination and capitalizes on his movements, their attack could explode. Experts believe that once Gyokeres and his teammates find harmony, Emirates Stadium will soon witness the “goal floods” initially promised by Arteta.

Viktor Gyokeres may not have Haaland’s scoring rate yet, but in terms of overall contribution, he has achieved what even the Norwegian striker admits—becoming one of the Premier League’s most relentless pressing and moving machines.

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