Arsenal Eye Move for Viktor Gyökeres

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Just days after Andrea Berta’s appointment as Arsenal’s Sporting Director, a significant transfer link has emerged—Viktor Gyökeres. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the Gunners are showing strong interest in the Swedish striker, who could be a more realistic option than Alexander Isak.

Arsenal’s need for a center-forward is no surprise. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined until late this year due to injury, while Kai Havertz recently underwent hamstring surgery, ruling him out until the start of the new season. Given these setbacks, the club is actively exploring options for a striker.

Below, we take a brief look at Gyökeres’ profile and why Arsenal find him appealing.

Viktor Gyökeres: Player Profile:


As a center-forward, Gyökeres is a manager’s dream—a powerful striker with lethal ball striking and capable of scoring from a variety of situations. His ability to strike the ball cleanly, take shots from unconventional angles, and serve as a physical presence makes him a formidable attacking threat.

The Swedish forward thrives in physical battles, frequently engaging in duels with center-backs—a trait evident in Sporting CP’s Champions League clash against Arsenal earlier this season. He was a constant nuisance for Gabriel and William Saliba, showcasing his ability to impose himself against top-tier defenders.

Gyökeres operates with minimal touches and is not deeply involved in build-up play, instead focusing on positioning himself effectively to capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities. While this approach has yielded returns at Sporting CP, it raises questions about how he would fit into Arsenal’s system. His back-to-goal play and link-up ability are relatively average, though his tendency to cut inside from the left aligns with some of Arsenal’s attacking patterns.

One of his standout qualities is self-sufficiency—he can create chances for himself, a crucial asset when creativity is lacking. His strong ball-carrying ability and intelligent movement into space make him a constant threat. However, the key question remains: would he find the same level of freedom in the Premier League that he enjoys in Portugal?

Despite his imposing frame, Gyökeres’ aerial ability is not his strongest trait. Given Arsenal’s frequent use of crosses into the box, this could be a concern. However, he compensates with elite positional awareness and sharp movement inside the penalty area. While his power and pace are natural assets, refining his agility and off-the-ball movement could make him even more effective.

Why Would Arsenal Shortlist Gyökeres?

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From Arsenal’s perspective, Gyökeres has been one of Europe’s most consistent strikers over the past two seasons. His staggering numbers this season —42 goals and 10 assists are a testament to his goal-scoring prowess.

Andrea Berta, known for his exceptional eye for attacking talent, has a history of signing forwards with a ruthless edge in front of goal. His past acquisitions include Luis Suárez, Álvaro Morata, Diego Costa, and Memphis Depay—all of whom fit a particular striker archetype. Gyökeres aligns well with this profile.

Arsenal’s other key targets include fellow Swede Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško. Gyökeres sits between them in terms of experience and readiness—more proven than Šeško but potentially more attainable than Isak.

The ultimate decision will hinge on several factors:
• Playstyle fit – Which striker best complements Arsenal’s tactical setup?
• Financial feasibility – Who is more affordable in terms of transfer fee and wages?
• Strengths vs Weaknesses – Which option provides the best balance of attributes?

With Arsenal creating a high volume of chances, any striker they sign is likely to thrive. The key question remains: Who is the best bet at the right price? If Gyökeres’ rumored release clause proves reasonable, Arsenal may just have their next #9

To read a complete scouting report on Viktor Gyökeres – click on the embedded tweet below:

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