Arsenal warned over Viktor Gyokeres after Mikel Arteta's 'big change' for new signing

Arsenal have been warned of a worrying statistic about Viktor Gyokeres that could pose problems for Mikel Arteta this season.

After a lengthy summer transfer saga, which also included pursuing Benjamin Sesko, the Gunners finally opted for Gyokeres, sealing his £64million move from Sporting CP last month.

The Swede’s arrival finally provides Arsenal with a traditional No. 9 which many pundits and supporters believe was the final jigsaw piece needed for the club to challenge for the Premier League title, having lacked that killer instinct with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Merino.

Gyokeres netted 54 goals in 52 appearances last season, earning him a reputation as one of the most clinical and goal-hungry forwards in European football.

However, the same attributes that make Gyokeres such a key signing also mean Arteta has already had to tweak his tactics during pre-season, adjusting his playing style to accommodate the striker.

ESPN reported that the Spanish manager has instructed his squad to get the ball forward as quickly as possible to capitalise on Gyokeres' strengths - a strategy that was clear in recent games against Newcastle and Tottenham, even when Gyokeres wasn't on the field.

But despite Arteta's best efforts, there is a possibility that the 27-year-old may not live up to the lofty expectations set for him this season by the Gunners. That could be particularly true against some of their direct rivals, against whom Gyokeres has primarily been brought in to score in crucial fixtures.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker referenced a statistic which suggested Gyokeres had netted just three times against sides in the Portuguese league's top half last season. The former Match of the Day presenter dubbed Gyokeres’ transfer a “gamble” from Arsenal, though he did wish the former Coventry and Brighton man all the best.

Lineker's stats were incorrect, however, as the former Tottenham striker likely intended to highlight Gyokeres' disappointing scoring record against Portugal's elite clubs - Benfica, Porto, Braga and Santa Clara. In the Primeira Liga, where he claimed the golden boot with 39 goals whilst securing a second consecutive title, he managed only two goals in eight league fixtures against those teams last season.

Other damning statistics have surfaced online, reinforcing the view of Gyokeres as a player who only thrives against weaker opposition. But Arsenal will expect a better return against the Premier League’s top sides this season, having bought the Sweden international for his predatorial instinct in the box.

Those figures are particularly concerning considering Arteta's side averaged 2.05 goals per match against lower-half teams in 2024/25 compared to 1.55 against top-half sides. They also recorded a 70% win rate against bottom-half clubs and just 33% against the top half, which included the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Bournemouth and Brentford.

Despite drawing blanks in the aforementioned league fixtures, Gyokeres found the net six times in the Champions League, including a hat-trick against Manchester City, and a vital last-gasp goal to beat rivals Benfica in the Portuguese cup final, proving he possesses the qualities to deliver when it matters most.

Lineker's fellow podcaster Micah Richards went on to point out the potential flaws in his game, but still recognised that Gyokeres could prove a valuable asset for the north Londoners this season by providing a danger in-behind - something they have been missing in recent seasons.

Richards said: “I think it’s a very good signing. I still think there are question marks whether he can do it at this level consistently because I’ve watched a load of videos on him and I think he’s really good in terms of his movement. He’s a really clever striker and can run in behind.

“I don’t think people should be expecting him to hold up the ball really well. There’s times in games where I’ve watched the ball go up to him and it’s coming back off him. And then he scores two goals and everyone says he’s been absolutely amazing. But he’s exactly what Arsenal need.”

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