Viktor Gyokeres will be eager to prove his doubters wrong when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
The Swede’s £64 million arrival from Sporting CP solved a long-term problem for Mikel Arteta, as he sought to find a new figurehead to lead his front line at the Emirates.
Gyokeres produced an underwhelming debut against Manchester United before scoring a brace in the 6-0 win against Leeds United to open his account for the Gunners.
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Then, he barely had a chance in the 1-0 loss against Liverpool last time out, with the result handed Arteta an early blow to his side’s Premier League title aspirations.
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, gestures during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Jamie Carragher believes Kai Havertz will replace Gyokeres as the spearhead of the attack for Arsenal once the German returns from his long-term injury setback.
However, Gyokeres can move on par with the feat set by Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero in 2011 when the Arsenal forward lines up to face Forest.
Viktor Gyokeres can match Sergio Aguero’s feat
According to BBC Sport, Gyokeres can become the first Premier League player since Aguero to score two or more goals in their first two home matches.
The Argentine provided two goals and an assist on his Man City debut against Swansea City, followed by a hat-trick against Wigan Athletic in his second Etihad outing.
Gyokeres has already hit back at critics this season, only three matches into the 2025/26 campaign, as it appears the jury is out on the Gunners’ number nine.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against Leeds United
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Indeed, his performances against Man United and Liverpool left a lot to be desired, but Gyokeres will require time to adapt to life in the top tier of English football, having previously represented Coventry City in the Championship.
Although Gyokeres is projected to score far fewer goals than the 54 goals in 52 outings he achieved with Sporting CP in his final season in Portugal, he is the out-and-out centre-forward that Arteta desperately needed.
The Gunners have not boasted an established striker since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette plied their trade at the Emirates.
Roy Keane expects Gyokeres to be a success in North London, and on paper, two goals in three league outings is not bad reading for the Arsenal faithful.
Viktor Gyokeres will be excited to face Nottingham Forest
The big news heading into the clash at the Emirates is that Nottingham Forest have replaced Nuno Espirito Santo with ex-Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.
Arsenal beat Postecoglou during both meetings in the North London derby last term, and the Australian’s forward-thinking approach will work perfectly in favour of Gyokeres.
Forest developed a reputation for being hard to break down last season, but should Postecoglou implement his attacking style from the get-go, Gyokeres should get plenty of chances at the Emirates.
Furthermore, Forest have conceded five goals in their opening three fixtures and have failed to keep a clean sheet so far this season – the stage is set for Gyokeres to match Aguero’s record.