From Zero to Hero: Gyokeres Finally Finds His Arsenal Groove

After months of criticism and struggle, Viktor Gyokeres is suddenly looking like the striker Arsenal thought they were buying. Two goals against Sunderland tell a story of persistence paying off.

The Turning Point

Viktor Gyokeres came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 win against Sunderland, with great finishes while off balance for the first and tapping in the second late on. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder if we’ve been watching a different player all season. He has now scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since joining Arsenal in the 2025 summer window, taking his tally to six goals in the 2025/26 Premier League.

The Swedish striker looked comfortable for the first time in months. His movement was sharper, his finishing clinical. Following Martin Zubimendi’s impressive first-half opener, Gyokeres landed his first just six minutes after coming on as a substitute, then completed his brace in stoppage time to put the gloss on a win which moved Arsenal nine points clear of Manchester City.

The Long Road Here

It hasn’t been easy getting to this point. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Viktor Gyokeres’ critics to “leave him alone” despite admitting the £64 million striker needs to start scoring, as Gyokeres has found the back of the net in just four of his 17 appearances for Arsenal so far.

From Arsenal’s first 16 Premier League matches of the season, the striker has scored four and assisted none, with his last Premier League goal coming back on November 1st, over a month ago. The numbers made for grim reading compared to his Sporting days. The Sweden international scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for previous club Sporting but his tally for Arsenal stands at just seven in 24 games following his £55m arrival in July.

Critics weren’t shy about voicing their concerns. Gary Neville was disappointed by the “really poor” performance against Liverpool, as Gyokeres’ frustrating start continued with him failing to register a shot and making it 10 games without an open-play goal.

Finding His Role

What’s changed? Maybe it’s about understanding his place in this Arsenal system. Perhaps the key to unlocking the best from Gyokeres is towards the back end of the season, with Jesus and Havertz back as options, does Arteta look at Gyokeres as more of an impact player on the bench? That role would appear to suit his strengths more.

Very rarely do Arsenal play in a way that allows Gyokeres the chance to run in behind since they are usually holding possession in areas high up the pitch. But in tight games like against Inter or Sunderland, their resolute defensive structure means they can soak up pressure and then hit teams on the break. With Gyokeres fresh and up top in those moments, there’s no player in that Gunners squad they’d rather have leading the charge.

The striker himself has learned to handle the pressure. “Maybe it isn’t my No 1 priority to read everything that’s being said or what people write. It’s just think about the things you can control and do those things right,” he told Sky Sports.

The Manager’s Faith

Mikel Arteta believes Viktor Gyokeres has raised his game to the “highest level” after his brace. “With Viktor, it’s very difficult to understand his emotions because he looks straight at you. But he doesn’t seem too affected by the real highs or the lows. He’s very demanding of himself; he’s constantly trying to improve. I love his character, the way he approaches every single day and the fact that he’s so focused on the present”.

The numbers are starting to back up Arteta’s faith. The 27-year-old has eight goal involvements in his last eight games. In 2026, he has more goals than any other Premier League player across all competitions. Arsenal have now scored nine goals via substitutes in the Premier League this season, more than any other team, and Gyokeres believes it’s a good sign for the team.

Perfect Timing

The timing couldn’t be better for Arsenal’s title push. Arsenal piled the pressure on title rivals Manchester City with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points. Although the scoreline was comfortable in the end, Sunderland’s performance made Arsenal work extremely hard for a win that strengthens their bid for a first title in 22 years.

Gyokeres is finally looking like the player Arsenal thought they were getting. His movement is improving, his finishing is getting sharper, and crucially, he’s contributing when it matters most. The Arsenal supporters serenaded their team with a chorus of “we are top of the league” at the final whistle – and, if City fail to beat Liverpool on Sunday, the Gunners might just stay there for the remainder of the campaign.

Sometimes the best signings aren’t the ones who hit the ground running. They’re the ones who find their feet just when you need them most.