Viktor Gyökeres has scored 21 goals this season. He deserves more respect | Arsenal
Viktor Gyökeres was on the coronary heart of certainly one of Arsenal’s greatest attacking shows of the season on the weekend, scoring twice and grabbing an help as Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled Fulham 3-0 at the Emirates on Saturday.
The Swede’s opener, a close-range tap-in following excellent work down the right from Bukayo Sakawas his twentieth aim in all competitions for Arsenal this time period. A header on the stroke of half-time successfully sealed the outcome and took Gyökeres to 21 goals in his debut marketing campaign.
Having cost £55m in the summerGyökeres got here in for some criticism for not instantly delivering the goals that gave the impression to be the final ingredient wanted for Arsenal to lastly win the Premier League. That criticism has not been completely unfounded. At instances, Gyökeres has regarded remoted, struggling to hyperlink play as successfully as somebody like Kai Havertz, and Arsenal’s ahead line has sometimes lacked cohesion with him main it.
He has additionally had his share of aim droughts, scoring simply thrice in his first 11 aggressive appearances for the membership, earlier than one other lean patch between late November and the beginning of the 12 months that yielded just one aim in 10 video games.
But 2026 has confirmed more fruitful. Gyökeres has scored 14 goals for the reason that begin of the 12 months in all competitions, more than another Premier League participant. Across Europe’s high 5 leagues, solely three gamers have scored more goals this 12 months: Harry Kane (24), Vinicius Junior (16) and Lamine Yamal (15).
It’s value placing into context what Gyökeres has delivered. He’s the primary participant to attain 20 or more goals in all competitions in his first season at Arsenal since Alexis Sánchez in 2014-15 (25). The solely different participant to do it within the Premier League period is Thierry Henry in 1999-2000 (26).
Before Sánchez and Henry, Ian Wright was the final to clear the 20-goal mark in his first season, scoring 26 in 1991-92. Across the membership’s complete historical past, Gyökeres is just the thirteenth participant to do it.
Even somebody like Robin van Persie – certainly one of Arsenal’s most prolific scorers within the Premier League period – didn’t obtain this. The Dutchman scored simply 9 instances in his debut season in 2004-05.
Another widespread criticism of Gyökeres is {that a} important share of his goals have been penalties. Three of his 14 Premier League goals have come from the spot (21.4%). Sure, that is the next proportion than Erling Haaland (12.5%), however it’s decrease than Igor Thiago (36.4%) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (25%), each of whom are having wonderful campaigns in entrance of aim.
What’s more – and this is not to recommend Gyökeres is working at their stage – however Kane (30% of his goals this season from penalties) and Kylian Mbappé (29%) are additionally lethal from 12 yards. Good finishers rating penalties. Being dependable from the spot can also be a priceless asset. Gyökeres’ effort in opposition to Atlético Madrid within the Champions League semi-final first leg final week was his twenty seventh consecutive efficiently transformed penalty, which exhibits he has the nerve to ship in high-pressure moments.
It’s additionally value remembering that Gyökeres was not solely signed for his potential to seek out the web, however for the area he creates for these round him. His highly effective operating behind opposition defenses was on full show in opposition to Fulhamwith sharp motion into the channels complemented by some refined center-forward play within the build-up to Saka’s aim.
Rightly or wrongly, although, he might be judged on his goals, which have helped earn Arsenal a six-point lead on the summit within the Premier League. How many more he can add throughout their remaining three video games could effectively resolve the place the Premier League and Champions League trophies reside on the finish of the month.
This is an article by Opta Analyst
