Viktor Gyokeres likened to 95-goal Premier League striker, but Arsenal have one clear concern
Viktor Gyokeres’ start to life at Arsenal has seen the striker likened to a ruthless Premier League goal scorer.
Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting during the summer transfer window as one of Mikel Arteta’s biggest purchases.
Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham has the Gunners currently top of the Premier League table, but Gyokeres only has three goals so far in his time at Emirates Stadium.
The 27-year-old has not scored in his last six appearances, with two of Gyokeres’ goals coming against Leeds on matchday two.
Viktor Gyokeres compared to Ruud van Nistelrooy
Despite former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang currently outperforming Gyokeres, the Sweden international has been compared to Man United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy.
That is according to former Man United coach Rene Meulensteen, as per the Metro [12 October], despite their still being one concern about Gyokeres’ game.
“Viktor Gyokeres is physical and direct, it’s good for him to get on the scoresheet again,” Meulensteen said.
“He quickly established himself at Sporting after leaving Brighton, and it’s good that he’s now doing that at Arsenal, a club playing attacking football.
“He should get plenty of opportunities and needs to convert them. Ruud van Nistelrooy was an out-and-out goal machine, living only to score goals if given service. In that respect, I can see similarities in Gyokeres.
“However, is he as ruthlessly goal-scoring as Ruud was? Those are big shoes to fill, as that was Ruud’s biggest quality, and Gyokeres still has to prove that.
“But he’s off to a good start with a few goals. We’ll see how he looks in six months, he might get on a run and score every week, who knows?”
Gyokeres’ next Arsenal match will be against Fulham, where he should fancy getting on the score sheet against the Cottagers.
Gyokeres handed award during international break
Despite Gyokeres’ slow life in goal scoring terms at Arsenal, the striker’s record at Sporting earned him the 2024-25 Nations League Golden Boot Award.
Gyokeres picked up the award during the international break, as per TNT Sports on X, and Arsenal will hope he can rediscover that ruthless touch in-front of goal to aid their title hopes.
| Minutes Played | 578 |
| Shots | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 5 |
| Expected Goals | 3.02 |
His xG in the Premier League, currently matches with the goals he has scored for the club showing that with better high quality service he could start scoring freely.
A settled front line by Arteta would help Gyokeres form relationships with his team mates, but Arsenal’s strong squad depth means he can, and will continue, to rotate.