Arsenal are hitting their stride at a crucial stage of the season. After showing more brilliance in European competition than in the Premier League throughout January, the Gunners are now displaying a significantly improved domestic form.
In their last two league matches, against Leeds United and Sunderland, Arsenal scored seven goals without conceding. Three of those goals came from Viktor Gyokeres, albeit in varying roles and circumstances.
The Swedish striker, signed from Sporting CP for €63.5 million last summer, scored as a starter against Leeds away. In the subsequent match against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium, Gyokeres came off the bench to turn a narrow lead into a convincing 3-0 victory.
His contributions now see Gyokeres involved in eight goals across his last eight appearances in all competitions. Six of those goals have been scored since the new year, the highest tally in the Premier League over that period.
A Challenging Start
However, Gyokeres’ journey in North London has not been entirely smooth. Arriving as a high-profile signing, he struggled to impress during the first half of the season. In 20 appearances, 17 as a starter, he scored just five goals, only two of which came from open play.
Injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz at the time placed additional pressure on Gyokeres, with scrutiny both on and off the pitch. In the opening nine Premier League matches, he played the full 90 minutes in seven games before suffering a muscle injury in the tenth week.
Gyokeres’ absence temporarily opened the door for Mikel Merino to play in attack. Only in recent weeks has Mikel Arteta been able to deploy the trio of Jesus, Havertz, and Gyokeres together. Against Leeds, Jesus provided a different dimension; against Sunderland, it was Gyokeres’ turn to make the difference.
“He came on at a moment when the game was slightly more open,” Arteta explained post-match. “Today, he also had more support around him. It always depends on the opponent and the context of the match,” he added.
Ideal Conditions for Development
This context has proven ideal for Gyokeres. Open matches give him space to combine with teammates, similar to the situation when he scored as a substitute against Inter Milan in last month’s Champions League fixture.
When Arteta mentioned the support around him, Kai Havertz was a prime example. The German midfielder has impressed since returning from injury, his intelligent movement creating space and contributing two assists for Gyokeres in just over a week.
Gabriel Martinelli has also played a key role, returning to the right flank to replace Bukayo Saka. From there, Martinelli has repeatedly linked up with Gyokeres through quick, effective attacking sequences.
For Arteta, Gyokeres’ development is about more than just goals.
“What truly makes the difference is the consistency he shows every day—in training, in understanding his teammates,” Arteta noted. “He communicates, requests movements, asks for the type of passes and crosses he needs, and of course, delivers on the pitch,” he continued.
Confidence as a Key Factor
Confidence has been central to Gyokeres’ recent rise. Beyond scoring, he has shown composure under pressure. His first goal, coming just six minutes after entering as a substitute, seemed to significantly boost his self-belief.
“That’s the key word: confidence,” Arteta said. “When you feel confident, feel important, and feel at your best, that’s when you can take your game to the highest level. We, the teammates and staff, are always behind him to support him. He responds with performance, and now he’s in a very good moment.”
Arsenal have placed emphasis on making players feel valued, even if they are not regular starters. Last week, Noni Madueke was not initially planned to start but was called upon due to Saka’s hip injury. He immediately repaid the faith with a goal and an assist in the first half against Leeds.
Gyokeres’ goal and Martinelli’s assist against Sunderland contribute to Arsenal leading the Premier League in goals scored by substitutes, with a total of 16 goal involvements.
“He is ready instantly,” Arteta said. “When he sees the lineup and his name isn’t on it, everyone reacts the right way because we know how important our finishers are. Their impact on the team, results, and league position is huge. I’m very pleased.”
The Impact of Timely Goals
The timing of Gyokeres’ goals has also been vital. Arsenal have historically struggled when holding a one-goal lead in the final 15 minutes. On December 30, Arsenal had the most games with a one-goal lead in the last 15 minutes—eight matches, some ending dramatically against Brentford and Wolverhampton.
Since the turn of the year, that number remains the same in six league matches. Yet Arsenal have improved their two-goal lead situations from six to nine matches, second-best in the league. Gyokeres’ 66th-minute strike against Sunderland provided breathing space for Arsenal and their supporters.
In a season that has often felt challenging, this luxury is significant, and Viktor Gyokeres has played a central role in this narrative.
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