Viktor Gyokeres has been defended from critics that “don’t have a clue about football”, with Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson of the opinion that his star striker remains in decent form. That is despite the prolific forward enduring a barren run at Arsenal on the back of his big-money move from Sporting over the summer. Gyokeres has failed to find the target through his last six appearances for the Gunners.
Gyokeres Arsenal record: Early goals in bright start
The 27-year-old enjoyed a productive enough start to the 2025-26 campaign, netting on his home Premier League debut for Arsenal as he bagged a brace against newly-promoted Leeds. He was also on target in a victory over Nottingham Forest, taking him to three efforts through four outings.
End product has dried up since then, leading to inevitable questions being asked of a man who cost Arsenal £63.5 million ($85m) at the end of a protracted transfer saga. Doubters have been quick to point out that Gykoeres is struggling to impact games, with the burly frontman not involved as much as he could be when failing to fire on all cylinders.
AdvertisementGettyWhy Sweden have no Gyokeres concerns
That is, however, how his game works – much like Erling Haaland, who rarely needs many touches in order to make a decisive contribution for Manchester City. The Swedish national team certainly have no concerns when it comes to their talismanic No.9.
Tomasson told reporters when asked about Gyokeres and his supposed dip in form: "Viktor Gyokeres is in very good form at the moment and is very good. If people say he doesn’t have an impact (on matches), then they don’t understand football and don’t have a clue about football. He creates space for other players, works on the ball and makes runs. It’s excellent and he scores goals almost all the time, so he has an impact and has been very good. It’s always nice, as you need time when you come to a new club.”
Gyokeres has been included in Sweden’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo. That double-header will give him the chance to enhance an international record that currently stands at 15 goals through 28 appearances.
Gyokeres learning to ignore outside noise
A productive international break will see him returned to Arsenal full of confidence, although a deaf ear continues to be turned towards any detractors. Gyokeres has told of adjusting to life in England: “It's been different games. Some games have been tougher – where I couldn't perform how I wanted. That's maybe depending on how the game looked. But I had games where I felt very good. So it's been up and down but overall, I've managed to score a few goals and we won most of the games. So it's been quite a good start, but it could be better.”
He added on learning to ignore any outside noise: “You have to do your own thing, you have to adapt to where you're playing. You have to believe in yourself and keep going, no matter what happens – whether that's on the pitch or outside. I don't think you have to take in what everyone around you says. You don't have to listen to everything you hear.”
Asked if that is tougher under a Premier League spotlight, the Swede said: “Yeah maybe? When I played in Portugal there was also a lot of that. They live for football there as well. So in one sense, it's a bit similar but of course it's much, much bigger here. They analyse everything you do. But that's the way it is, there's nothing wrong with that.
“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. Train everyday, play games and of course the things around that prepare you for the next game, the things where you can take care of your body. It's those things – and of course try to switch off sometimes.”
Getty ImagesTitle puzzle: Is Gyokeres the final piece for Arsenal?
Arsenal signed Gyokeres in a bid to end their barren run on the Premier League title front, which stretches back to the ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-04. Mikel Arteta’s side have hit top spot, picking up 16 points from seven games, and will return to action on October 18 when taking in a derby date with London neighbours Fulham.
