Arteta Criticized for Arsenal Player’s Underperformance
Viktor Gyökeres has received mixed reviews since his transfer to Arsenal from Sporting in July. The Swedish forward previously made a notable impact at Sporting, netting 97 goals and providing 28 assists over 102 appearances, including an impressive tally of 54 goals and 13 assists last season alone. His performance at Sporting caught the eye of Arsenal, securing his transfer.
However, Gyökeres has struggled to maintain that form at Arsenal. To date, he has scored only five goals in 13 matches, failing to find the net in the Premier League since September 13. This underperformance has raised questions about his fit within Arsenal’s tactical setup compared to his time with Sporting.
Arteta Criticized for Arsenal Player’s Underperformance
According to journalist Tobias Hellgren from Fotbollskanalen, Mikel Arteta’s system is not as conducive to Gyökeres’s strengths as was the case at Sporting. He stated, “You are judged on your production as a forward. That [lack of goals] is something that can start to rub off on you over time.” Hellgren emphasized that Arsenal’s gameplay does not focus on Gyökeres in the same manner, affecting his performance.
Pressure to Perform
Gyökeres faces additional pressure to perform quickly, especially in the wake of Erling Haaland’s success at Manchester City. Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has set new standards in the Premier League, delivering record-breaking performances right away.
“It’s Haaland’s fault! He came into the Premier League and delivered record numbers straight away. That’s the expectation these days,” Hellgren elaborated. The high expectations for new signings have put Gyökeres in a challenging position, given the pressure to score immediately.
International Performance
Adding to his challenges, Gyökeres has not made a significant impact for Sweden during the latest international breaks. The combination of club and international struggles has raised concerns regarding his future contributions.
- Transferred from Sporting to Arsenal in July.
- Scored 97 goals and 28 assists at Sporting.
- Only five goals in 13 matches for Arsenal.
- Last Premier League goal was on September 13.
- Underperformed during recent international breaks for Sweden.
As the season progresses, Gyökeres’s ability to adapt to Arsenal’s playing style will be crucial for both his career and the team’s performance.
