Isak - Gyokeres: £200 million spent on disappointment

16/10/2025 21:35:00 PlaymakerHub

Approximately £200 million is what Liverpool and Arsenal spent on them during the summer. But when the FIFA Days ended, both Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres caused fans to sigh. Two blockbuster signings, two different circumstances, yet united by a shared sense of letdown.

1. Alexander Isak’s £130 million transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool shocked the English football world. Not only was it a record fee, but also because he secured it through an open strike, refusing to train and forcing the club to sell him. Newcastle was reluctant to lose Isak, but under pressure from the player and his agent, they had no choice but to let him go.

However, the cost Isak paid went far beyond the transfer fee. He arrived at Liverpool in poor physical condition, lacking sharpness and confidence. Coach Arne Slot had to "rebuild" Isak mid-season, treating Premier League matches as fitness training sessions. Six games and one goal is a modest return for someone expected to lead the title charge.

Worse still, Isak lost form with the national team. Wearing Sweden’s jersey, he failed to score in consecutive matches against Kosovo and Switzerland, causing the team to drop to the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group. When Swedish media questioned him about the controversial departure, Isak avoided the topic, his eyes revealing his discomfort. What once seemed like a justified strike has now become an expensive lesson: sometimes, the desire to leave can destroy the very foundation a player has worked hard to build.

2. Compared to Isak, Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal in a much calmer atmosphere. He was a £70 million asset carefully chosen by Mikel Arteta after witnessing the Swedish striker’s devastating form at Sporting Lisbon. Strong, energetic, and relentless in pressing, Gyokeres was expected to bring what Arsenal lacked: a striker who capitalizes on chances, finishes cleanly, and fights tirelessly.

Isak and Gyokeres are leaving a huge disappointment

In reality, Gyokeres started better than Isak, scoring three goals in eight matches across all competitions. He adapted quickly, moved intelligently, and created space for teammates like Saka and Odegaard. However, the problem is that Arsenal needs a ruthless "killer," not just a hardworking forward. In big games, Gyokeres has yet to make a significant impact. He tends to drift wide and away from goal, leaving Arsenal without a true focal point inside the penalty area.

With the Swedish national team, Gyokeres is no better than Isak. He runs a lot and battles hard but is almost harmless inside the box. When the team struggles, Gyokeres isn’t the player who can score at crucial moments. This stagnation shows that while his fitness and determination are commendable, to become a top Premier League striker, Gyokeres needs more—his composure must awaken in decisive moments.

3. With FIFA Days over, it’s time for Isak and Gyokeres to face reality: excuses are no longer acceptable. Liverpool and Arsenal are entering a brutal schedule where every missed chance and every draw could shatter their title dreams.

At Liverpool, Arne Slot needs Isak to quickly "wake up." Patience at Anfield is limited, and fans won’t wait forever for a £100 million signing just to "regain match fitness." Isak needs goals and must rediscover the cold finishing he showed at Newcastle. He owes not only Liverpool but also himself a professional image tarnished by impulsive decisions.

As for Arsenal, after a shaky start in finishing, they need Gyokeres to turn potential into results. Arteta has built a perfect system for him to shine. The only question is whether he can embrace the pressure and decide matches like a true top striker.

Two strikers, two destinies, but one shared challenge: proving their true worth. This weekend, as the Premier League returns, all eyes will not only watch if they score but also if they can change their fortunes, transforming themselves into symbols of revival or continuing as living proof of "the cost of expectation."

Comment (0)