Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has had his fair share of critics this season for failing to score as frequently as he has done in recent seasons – but Champions League legend Clarence Seedorf has praised the Swedish star for an underrated aspect of his work.
Arsenal had been in the market for a striker over the past few transfer windows, especially after Kai Havertz’s injury back in February, and that saw Mikel Arteta make a move for Viktor Gyokeres to combat their striking woes.
Gyokeres has performed relatively well overall for Arsenal with five goals in 12 games in all competitions, and that was compounded with a brace against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
Despite his goal tally, Gyokeres has still come under criticism for not scoring more. But Clarence Seedorf told the striker that his work off the ball has benefitted his teammates and that should warrant praise.
Viktor Gyokeres during Arsenal FC v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Clarence Seedorf praises Viktor Gyokeres for his teamwork after Arsenal move
Viktor Gyokeres made a name for himself at Sporting Lisbon for being an absolute goal machine, finishing his two-year spell in Portugal with 97 goals in just 102 games.
Gyokeres had previously scored 21 goals in just 46 games for Coventry City in the Championship in the 2022-23 season, meaning he’s been scoring incredibly frequently over the past three years.
Season Club games Club goals
2021-22 (Coventry) 47 18
2022-23 (Coventry) 50 22
2023-24 (Sporting) 50 43
2024-25 (Sporting) 52 54
2025-26 (Arsenal) 12 5
And after his brace against Atletico Madrid almost doubled his tally for the season, Seedorf praised Gyokeres for his work in other games even if he’s not reaping the rewards in front of goal. Speaking to the striker on Amazon Prime Video’s coverage of the Champions League clash, the Dutchman said:
“I think you have created that, because strikers everybody expects them to score.
“You didn’t score that much in this period, but all the other stuff that you’ve been doing for the team and making players better has created this reaction of them.
“The respect that you have created I think is definitely on you. So well done.”
Arsenal’s run of results now sees them top of the Premier League standings, joint-top of the Champions League table and into the next round of the Carabao Cup, so something is definitely working under Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta looks on from the touchline during Arsenal v Olympacios in the Champions League
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Arsenal fans will want Viktor Gyokeres’ goalscoring record to improve to win Premier League
Viktor Gyokeres moved to Arsenal for £64million in the summer with much intrigue over his signing, and although the 27-year-old has been scoring to a point, he has not impressed everybody.
Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has not been impressed with Gyokeres’ performances in the big top-flight clashes, whilst former referee Mark Clattenburg told TBR Football that Gyokeres is struggling to get decisions from match officials as he’s not quite used to the Premier League yet.
One key aspect of goals by strikers at top teams is that in each of the past three seasons, the top goalscorer has played for the eventual champions.
Erling Haaland grabbed 36 and 27 goals respectively for Manchester City in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns, whilst Mohamed Salah grabbed 29 goals for Liverpool last season.
If Gyokeres is to follow that trend, it means he’s already eight behind Haaland – and catching him up would negate City’s biggest threat, potentially handing Arsenal their first league title in 22 years.