Signed for €73 million following two sensational seasons at Sporting CP, Viktor Gyökeres did not exactly take England by storm in his first year at Arsenal. But despite statistics that were less spectacular than those in Portugal, the Swedish striker has gone on to become a key part of Mikel Arteta’s system.
He may not have the talent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Viktor Gyökeres (27) perhaps possesses that extra bit of spirit that prevented his illustrious predecessor from reaching a Champions League final. The statement may seem provocative, but it sums up quite well the paradox of the Scandinavian’s first season in London.
For not everything has been perfect. Far from it. But as Arsenal prepare to contest the Premier League and Champions League double, the role of the former Sporting CP striker ultimately appears far more significant than his goals alone.
A slow but logical adjustment
The Swede’s early days left a strange impression for a long time. With just six goals in 18 matches by mid-December, Gyökeres seemed out of sync in a team that often dominated without really playing for him. His integration into Mikel Arteta’s positional play took time: constant pressing, dropping deep, holding up play against centre-backs, creating space for the wingers… The role required of him bore little resemblance to the one he had played in Lisbon. In an ultra-structured system, the number nine had to become a cog in the collective machine before
Yet his form has eventually started to take off. Since January, Gyökeres has scored 14 of his 21 goals across all competitions. He may not be the force to be reckoned with that was expected following his sensational seasons in Portugal, but he is by no means a failure either. Above all, few attacking signings have reached this tally in their first season at Arsenal since Thierry Henry. Alexis Sánchez did so with 25 goals in 2014–15, while Aubameyang burst onto the scene with 31 goals in his first full season in 2018–19. Gyökeres, for his part, is establishing himself in this category without having benefited from the same attacking environment.
The unseen work that is changing Arsenal
The real evolution is evident elsewhere. Against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg, Gyökeres didn’t score, but he wore down the opposition defence for 90 minutes. Relentless pressing, play with his back to goal, lay-offs, runs into the box, aerial duels: his work rate was publicly praised by Arteta after the match. “Tonight, Gyökeres was immense,” insisted the Spanish manager, aware that his centre-forward now brings much more than just a presence in the box.
The statistics back this up. With over 21 tackles attempted per 90 minutes and around 25 high-intensity sprints per match, the Swede has become the Gunners’ first line of defence. His ability to hold up the ball creates space for his attacking teammates, whilst his aerial duels finally provide a real presence in tight games. Arsenal may not have signed a prolific goalscorer capable of netting 35 goals a season, but the club now has a striker capable of wearing down defences physically and giving the whole team a breather in big games.
Arsenal: four games from glory
Already qualified for the Champions League final and in control of their own destiny in the Premier League, Arsenal are enjoying a record-breaking season. But to turn this historic campaign into the greatest season in their history, the London club must win four more matches.
Arsenal have never been this close to turning everything around. Twenty years after their only Champions League final, lost to FC Barcelona (1-2), the London club has a new opportunity to finally conquer Europe. In the Premier League, Manchester City’s draw at Everton (3-3) has also paved the way for a first domestic title since the Invincibles of 2004.
The paradox is that this exceptional season is not met with admiration alone. For several weeks now, the Gunners have been winning, dominating and keeping clean sheets, yet they are generating far less excitement than during Arsène Wenger’s heyday. ‘Boring Arsenal’ is definitely back, and that may well be precisely what takes them to the top.
A season already destined for the history books
The figures are staggering. With 41 wins across all competitions, Arsenal have already equalled their all-time record set in 1970–71, the season they won the league and FA Cup double. The Gunners have also kept 30 clean sheets, as in 1993–94, and remain unbeaten in the Champions League with a run of 14 matches without defeat. Even before the final verdict, this team has already etched its name into the club’s history books.
But these records will be meaningless if they lead to nothing. Three wins against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace would give Arsenal their first Premier League title since 2004, whatever Manchester City do. Another, on 30 May in Budapest, would give the club their first Champions League title in their history. In four matches, Mikel Arteta can therefore end a 22-year national wait and fill the biggest gap in the London club’s trophy cabinet.
The ultimate test of pragmatism
That leaves the question of style. Against Atlético Madrid, Arsenal once again put in a clinical, solid, almost clinical performance. It wasn’t spectacular football, but rather tournament football, characterised by composure, winning duels and taking minimal risks. William Saliba summed it up bluntly: Arsenal have “the best defence in the Champions League and the Premier League”. Samir Nasri, for his part, even sees them as a real threat to Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final.
This is where the end of the season becomes fascinating. Over the past few months, Arsenal have shifted towards a more defensive style of play, at times laborious, but formidably effective. Arteta’s pragmatic approach has worked so far. The question now is whether this “Boring Arsenal” can hold up under the pressure of a title and a Champions League final. The 2004 Invincibles have their legend, the 1971 side their double. The 2026 side has just one thing left to do: finish the job.
