Forget Viktor Gyokeres: It’s now clear Arsenal should have signed 163-goal striker instead, this is why
Arsenal could have made a mistake signing Viktor Gyokeres when another striker was available for a similar price.
Gyokeres was captured by Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, and the 27-year-old has since faced criticism for his performances in red and white.
The former Coventry City striker has scored just three goals in seven Premier League appearances, with two of those coming against newly-promoted Leeds United.
Premier League fans even mocked Gyokeres during Sweden’s 1-0 defeat to Kosovo, as international football failed to offer him some much-needed respite.
Gyokeres is undoubtedly a quality finisher, but some have questioned whether he fits into Mikel Arteta’s system.
Arsenal should have signed Ollie Watkins instead of Viktor Gyokeres
Football Insider revealed in May 2025 that Ollie Watkins wanted to sign for Arsenal after the Gunners registered an interest in the Aston Villa hitman.
Watkins was on Arteta’s radar for a while, seeing him as an ideal striker who could fire the North London club to the Premier League title.
The 29-year-old is a seasoned striker in England’s top flight, firing double figures for goals in his last five league campaigns and 163 across his career.
However, goals aren’t the reason why Watkins suits Arsenal more than Gyokeres, with several metrics painting that narrative.
| Stats per 90 2025/26 | Ollie Watkins | Viktor Gyokeres |
| Progressive passes | 1.05 | 0.94 |
| Pass completion | 71.3% | 55.4% |
| Successful take-ons | 0.75 | 0.47 |
| Progressive passes received | 6.02 | 5.31 |
Arsenal arguably needed someone intricate at the top end of the pitch who can link play effectively and keep the ball in tight spaces
As demonstrated by the above table, Watkins is one of the best in the league at dropping deep to receive the ball and lay it off to his teammates, whereas Gyokeres has struggled in that regard.
Arteta is having to change the way his side builds up from deep with Gyokeres. Meanwhile, if the Gunners captured Watkins, he would have slotted perfectly into their style.
Tony Adams wanted Arsenal to sign Watkins
Watkins has been hailed as ‘terrific’ in recent seasons, and while he’s started the campaign with just one Premier League goal to his name, Arsenal legend Tony Adams felt he would have been a better option than the Swede.
“[Gyokeres]… I don’t know yet. He’s not tried and tested,” Adams said on the Indo Sport podcast.
“I would have liked to have seen them get Ollie Watkins to be honest with you. He’s a Gooner, he might have given us a year and we might have won the title.”
Football Insider revealed in August that Aston Villa wanted around £60million for Watkins, and considering he’s a striker entering his prime years, perhaps he would have been the best option.