Arsenal fans have grown used to the familiar cycle of summer optimism, transfer frustration and dashed title hopes— and the early business in the window did little to break that loop.
The arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke — the sixth and seventh players since 2015 to be deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea, only to end up in north London — were met with eye-rolls, not excitement.
Meanwhile, the signings of Christian Nørgaard and Martín Zubimendi brought some steel and stability to the midfield but didn’t set pulses racing.
Truthfully, Gunners fans had their eyes on one name all along—Viktor Gyokeres.
As excitement builds ahead of the Premier League’s return—when does the new season kick off?— questions are being asked about whether Arsenal’s new-look squad can finally go the distance.
The arrival of Gyokeres is set to have a major impact not just on the pitch, but also in Premier League betting markets, where Arsenal are once again tipped among the favourites.
That said, here’s what he brings to the Emirates…
The striker Arsenal have been waiting for
For all of Arsenal’s progress under Mikel Arteta—two strong title challenges, a squad brimming with technical quality, and a young core capable of dominating for years—a true No.9 has always been missing.
Gabriel Jesus, for all his movement and link-up play, doesn’t guarantee 20 goals a season and struggles with consistent injuries, while Kai Havertz has tried since arriving from Chelsea, but it’s not his natural role.
Gyokeres, by contrast, is exactly what this Arsenal side has lacked: a direct, dominant, and devastating centre-forward.
From the Championship to a continental force
It was in the English Championship that Gyokeres first started to attract attention. After not being a chance by Brighton and Hove Albion, the Swede notched 38 goals in 91 in his two permanent seasons for Coventry City in the second tier.
That impressive return changed everything for Gyokeres. He moved to Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee in 2023, and he’s exploded in Portugal:
- 68 goals in 66 Liga Portugal appearances
- Back-to-back league titles
- Six Champions League goals in eight games last season, including a hat-trick in a memorable 4-1 win over Manchester City.
Gyokeres didn’t just take his game to another level—he tore up expectations. His blend of strength, speed and ruthlessness in front of goal made him a nightmare for defenders and a dream signing for Europe’s elite clubs.
A different dimension to Arsenal’s attack
What makes Gyökeres such a compelling addition is that he offers something no one else in Arsenal’s squad can.
- Physicality – At 6’2″, he’s strong enough to pin centre-backs and bully his way through tight spaces.
- Pace – He can stretch defences with smart runs in behind, opening up space for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli.
- Clinical finishing – Whether it’s a scrappy close-range finish or a curling shot from outside the box, Gyökeres has shown he can score all types of goals.
- Big-game mentality – That hat-trick against Man City proved that he’s ready for the step up in class to Premier League football and more big European nights.
There’s still a step to take
Of course, questions remain. The Premier League is a different beast compared to Liga Portugal.
Strikers have made the leap and struggled before—like Darwin Nunez. Gyokeres will face tougher defenders, tighter marking, and more tactical scrutiny than ever before.
But if his career to date has told us anything, it’s don’t bet against Gyokeres.
For the first time in years, Arsenal might just have their man—the one to end their long wait for a Premier League title.
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