Flagship recruit of Arsenal’s summer transfer window for 73.5 million euros including bonus, Viktor Gyökeres did not arrive in London anonymously. Goal machine at Sporting CP with 54 goals and 13 assists last season, the Swede embodied the complete number 9 that the Gunners were desperately looking for to take a step forward and finally transform their places of honor into trophies. Courted for a time by Manchester United, finally convinced by Mikel Arteta’s project, he arrived with enormous pressure, that of a striker supposed to single-handedly resolve Arsenal’s offensive efficiency problems. “I just felt it was the right club for me”he explained upon his arrival, seduced by the collective dimension, the history and the fervor of the Emirates.
However, his first months were far from the expected tidal wave. Without any real summer preparation and hampered by some physical problems, Gyökeres struggled to find his bearings in a championship much more demanding than the Liga Portugal. Less connected to his partners, sometimes laborious in the game, he quickly saw doubts arise around his price and his adaptation. His return from injury coincided with the resurgence of competition: Gabriel Jesus, author of a double against Inter in C1, and Kai Havertz, also performing well, seemed to give him priority. At the heart of this delicate period, some observers were already talking about a bad investment. But Arteta never let go of his attacker, multiplying his speeches to protect him and recall his context of integration.
An extraordinary state of mind
The Spanish technician even delivered a real plea in his favor. “I love his character, it’s very difficult to understand his emotions… he’s not affected by the ups and downs and we need that stability”he confided at a press conference, emphasizing rare mental strength. After his performance against Sunderland (3-0), Arteta insisted on his daily progress: “the consistency he shows every day in training, to better understand his teammates, to demand the movements and passes he wants… that’s what makes the difference. » A speech which demonstrates total confidence from the staff, convinced that the Swede’s impact would go beyond simple raw statistics. Even in tough times, Arsenal refused to abandon him, convinced that the adaptation would ultimately pay off.
And indeed, the signals have finally turned green. Without yet regaining his stratospheric Sporting standards, Gyökeres now has 13 goals in all competitions for his first English season, a more than honorable total in a team undergoing offensive reconstruction. Above all, the dynamic is excellent: 4 goals in his last 4 matches, including a striking double against Sunderland after a 60th minute entry to seal the Gunners’ 3-0 success. A benchmark match, full of sharpness, fair moves and clinical efficiency, which symbolizes (finally) his nice rise in confidence. More liberated, better served, more connected to Arteta’s game, he once again becomes this instinctive finisher capable of turning a match around in a few minutes.
This timing is not insignificant. As Arsenal enters the pivotal moment of their season – Premier League title fight, European fixtures and League Cup final against Manchester City – Gyökeres appears to be hitting his peak form at the perfect time. In a team affected by injuries, but supported by its recruits, he is gradually establishing himself as the major offensive weapon expected. Clearly, little by little the Swede is silencing the critics and justifying his investment. This Thursday, against Brentford, he should logically start with a clear mission: to confirm, score again, and prove that Arsenal finally has the number 9 capable of taking them to the top of the Premier League, more than 20 years later.
Pub. the
– UPDATE
