Arsenal are top of the Premier League, boasting the best defence in the country, but to suggest everything at the Emirates is rosy would be to ignore one glaring issue that has haunted them for years. It showed itself once again on Saturday evening, as despite a 1-0 win over Fulham, they needed a corner to break the deadlock.
One of the summer’s biggest talking points was whether the Gunners would finally put an end to their search for a world-class striker, after seasons of overreliance on Bukayo Saka to carry the creative and goalscoring burden. Last term’s dependence on set-pieces once again highlighted their attacking struggles, yet Viktor Gyokeres has done little to show he can carry the can.
Before his £63.5 million move from Sporting Lisbon, concerns were raised that the Swedish international - winner of the Gerd Muller award for most goals in Europe last season - had mostly faced weak opposition to amass such a prolific record. He has now gone seven games without scoring, and Mikel Arteta may need to consider dropping him if he hopes to get anything out of his big-money signing.
Viktor Gyokeres Extended Scoreless Run to Seven Games at Fulham
Viktor Gyokeres
Strong, tall, fast, and with a goalscoring record that reads 223 goals in 405 club appearances - you'd think Gyokeres would be ready to take the Premier League by storm, but the reality has been stark. His only three goals for the Gunners have come against newly-promoted Leeds United and a struggling Nottingham Forest side that is now in the early stages of searching for its third different manager of the season after parting ways with both Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou already.
Across his 90-mintue cameo at Craven Cottage, he showed no indication of reversing his fortunes. He took two shots - both of which were off target - only completed four passes all game, with his total touch count only reaching a very worrying 16. The reaction to his display on social media hasn't been flattering either, with one X user remarking:
"@Arsenal, Viktor Gyokeres is definitely not good enough. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta would have been a better signing for us. Nothing about Gyokeres screams top quality."
Another wrote: "Gyokeres is terrible," while a third added: "Gyokeres positioning is so bad man." Meanwhile, a fourth continued: "I’m fed up with watching gyokeres already, this guy stinks," as a fifth concluded:
"Wow, Gyokeres has absolutely woeful instincts for a striker. How does he not make contact inside the 6 yard box?! Just be meaningful, please."
Viktor Gyokeres shakes hands with manager Mikel Arteta after being substituted
Premier League - Manchester United v Arsenal - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - August 17, 2025 Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres shakes hands with manager Mikel Arteta after being substituted REUTERS/Peter Powell
Arteta would probably prefer not to drop Gyokeres from the starting lineup so early into his return to England after his stint at Coventry City, as it might look like an admission that signing the Swedish international was ultimately the wrong decision. However, benching him could ignite a response from the new signing and send a clear message that subpar performances won’t be tolerated at a club chasing its first league title in over two decades.
With Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined through injury, the Spaniard doesn’t have many options by way of alternatives to Gyokeres. Midfielder-turned-striker Mikel Merino, however, scored five goals in eight games last season in his unconventional new role, offering a potential path forward to avoid another nervy outing for the Gunners.