Six of Gyokeres’ eight league goals have come against newly-promoted sides.
The Gunners beat all of the newly-promoted clubs last season but have found it difficult to break down teams who defend in a low block, which is where Gyokeres’ goalscoring ability could play a big part as Arsenal‘s title challenge gets to the final stages.
Last season, Arsenal dropped points away at Everton – but Gyokeres’ goal from the penalty spot ensured the Gunners took all three points during this campaign.
Scoring against newly-promoted sides does not take away the significance of his goals as Sunderland have been one of the surprise packages of the season.
However, Gyokeres’ league goals have won Arsenal just two points.
Only three of his 13 goals in all competitions have changed the state of the game after he scored the opening goals against Burnley, Everton and Kairat.
A criticism of Gyokeres before he signed was that he was a flat-track bully, mainly scoring against teams lower in the Portuguese table.
He averaged 1.18 goals per game in the Primeira Liga in 2024-25 according to Opta, but only managed two goals in eight games against the sides that finished second and fifth, while 17 of his 39 goals (43.6%) came in seven games against the bottom four.
Gyokeres’ style of play is not the most pleasing on the eye but can be effective.
But Arteta now has Gabriel Jesus and Havertz to complement the forward, his impact can also come from the bench.
He has scored three goals from six shots in seven games when coming off the bench, compared to 10 goals from 55 shots in 25 games as a starter.
Gyokeres was signed for his ability to find the net but he was also brought in to create space for the attackers behind him.
And that thinking, despite any personal struggles for him on the pitch, has been proved right.
Arsenal have a better win percentage (84%) and concede less goals when he starts.
The stats show Arsenal score more without Gyokeres starting but have conceded more without him too, which highlights the work-rate and willingness to help the team out.
“I love his character,” Arteta said when asked about Gyokeres’ mental strength and resilience after the win over Sunderland.
“The way he approaches every single day and the fact that he’s so focused on the present, what he has to do and he has a genuine will to help the team in whatever role he has.
“When you put that shirt on, it comes with a lot of responsibility and huge expectations. And you need to live with that. In your journey here, you’re going to have moments where it goes really well and others where it’s going to be tough.”
The scrutiny on Gyokeres has been high since the moment he signed, with the club desperate to win a trophy after so many near misses.
His goal record and the fact he took the number 14 made famous by Arsenla’s record goalscorer Thierry Henry added to that.
“With Viktor, when you look at him, it’s very difficult to understand his emotions because he looks straight at you and you don’t really know,” Arteta said.
“But he doesn’t seem too affected by the real highs or the lows.
“And that’s what we need – stability. He’s very demanding of himself. He’s constantly trying to improve, and that’s really, really good.”
It may have been tough for Gyokeres at times but there are a lot of games left with some potentially special moments for Arsenal to come.
Now that the forward is finding the net, he is putting himself in position to be a huge part of that.
