Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal: Can He Succeed Where Others Failed?
- Admin
- Jul 27, 2025
- 3 min read
Viktor Gyökeres has completed a £64 million transfer to Arsenal after a staggering 54-goal season for Sporting CP a move that has sparked both excitement and skepticism across the football world.
At 27, Gyökeres is stepping onto the Premier League’s biggest stage with weighty expectations and plenty to prove. The Swedish striker has powered his way through the Portuguese league and European competition, but now faces the toughest test of his career: Can he replicate his form in England’s top flight?
The transition from Portugal to the Premier League is a well-worn path, most famously by Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Manchester United from Sporting in 2003. Ronaldo scored 118 goals for United and won multiple titles, including a Ballon d’Or, making him the gold standard for success via the Portuguese league.
Bruno Fernandes followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps, arriving from Sporting in 2020. He quickly became Manchester United’s talisman, contributing nearly 100 goals across competitions.
But the path isn’t always paved with success. Players like Carlos Vinícius, Mario Jardel, and Darwin Núñez came with goal-laden résumés from Portugal, only to find England’s defenses far more punishing. For every Ronaldo, there’s a cautionary tale.
So where does Gyökeres fit?
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand didn’t mince words on his podcast:
“I’ve watched him probably three times really, really closely. And three times I’ve gone: ‘He ain’t getting that opportunity in the Prem.’”
Ferdinand’s concern isn’t about Gyökeres’ work ethic or physicality, but whether he has the extra sharpness and decision-making to exploit Premier League defences.
Yet others see things differently.
Bjorn Hamberg, former Brighton coach and assistant to Graham Potter, believes the striker is ready:
“He’s good around the box, a good finisher. But he’s also strong in transition and in big spaces… He improves every year and normally stays fit.”
Gyökeres' numbers support this optimism:
54 goals in 52 games last season
39 in the Primeira Liga, including six in the Champions League (with a hat-trick against Manchester City)
19 successful penalties out of 19 — showing composure under pressure
97 goals and 26 assists in 102 games for Sporting
He’s not just a poacher. Gyökeres is a high-intensity runner, a ball carrier, and a relentless presser. His intelligent movement, combined with a 6ft 2in frame, makes him a stylistic fit for Arsenal’s vertical transitions and positional fluidity.
It’s easy to forget Gyökeres once played for Brighton though not in the Premier League. Frustrated with a lack of chances, he forced a move to Coventry, where he scored 38 goals in 91 games, earning a £20.5m move to Sporting.
Since then, he has developed into one of Europe’s most complete forwards a dramatic rise fuelled by stubborn self-belief, according to former coaches:
“When he has his mind on something he goes all-in. He doesn’t just wait for things to happen he forces it,” said Hamberg.
It’s worth noting: 35% of Gyökeres’ goals last season came from the spot. While his penalty record is flawless, it raises questions about his output in open play.
Also, the Primeira Liga is not a top-five European league, and the defensive structure in the Premier League is significantly more compact and physical.
His success in Portugal doesn’t guarantee a smooth transition but it does show he knows how to lead a line, shoulder pressure, and deliver.
With Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz alternating in central roles, Gyökeres brings a new dimension a true No.9 who can bully defenders, stretch play vertically, and create chaos in the box.
But Arsenal fans must manage expectations. Gyökeres isn’t walking into the Emirates to instantly dominate like Haaland. He’s arriving with a track record of improvement, hunger, and relentless effort. And that may be his biggest asset.
Gyökeres is not a guaranteed Premier League hit. But he has the physical tools, mental drive, and now the platform to prove doubters wrong.
The Premier League may be a different beast faster, tougher, and more brutal but Gyökeres’ evolution suggests he’s more than just a flat-track bully. If he adapts, he could become one of the signings of the season.
The challenge now? Consistency, resilience, and goals against the best in the world.
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