Has Gyokeres Already Proven Himself As Arsenal’s Long-term No.9?

When Arsenal secured Viktor Gyökeres in the summer, the expectation was clear: the Gunners needed a prolific No.9 capable of firing them to silverware. With his impressive record in Portugal and a physical profile well-suited for the Premier League, many fans saw him as the final piece of Mikel Arteta’s attacking puzzle. However, his recent run of five games without a goal or an assist has sparked debate about whether he has truly cemented his place as Arsenal’s long-term solution up front.

The Swedish forward was brought in with high expectations after his outstanding season at Sporting Lisbon, where he combined goalscoring with link-up play. Arsenal’s attack has often been criticized for lacking a true penalty-box striker, and Gyökeres seemed like the ideal fit. Strong in the air, mobile across the front line, and relentless in pressing, he was supposed to provide the cutting edge that Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah sometimes lacked.However, adjusting to life in North London and the Premier League has not been straightforward. The pace of the English game, combined with the tactical demands of Arteta’s system, requires time and adaptation.

While Gyökeres has shown flashes of his quality with his hold-up play and movement, the lack of end product in the last five games is raising questions about his readiness to lead the line consistently.It is also worth noting that Arsenal’s struggles are not solely down to Gyökeres. The Gunners’ midfield creativity has looked inconsistent in recent weeks, and service into the striker has often been limited.

A No.9 can only be as effective as the supply line behind him, and with Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka carrying a heavy load in chance creation, Arsenal still look like they could benefit from another consistent attacking spark.Despite the dry spell, Gyökeres brings qualities that statistics cannot fully capture. His physical presence unsettles defenders, his pressing sets the tone from the front, and his ability to occupy multiple defenders creates space for Arsenal’s wingers.

These attributes are crucial in Arteta’s tactical setup, even when goals aren’t flowing. Fans may want immediate results, but history shows that many great strikers take time to adapt before flourishing.From a long-term perspective, Arsenal may need patience rather than panic. Gyökeres is still settling into a new environment, and with Arteta’s coaching, there’s every chance he can grow into the role. If he regains his scoring touch, he could be the difference-maker in Arsenal’s title ambitions. But if the drought extends further, the Gunners might find themselves re-examining whether their big summer investment can truly deliver at the highest level.Ultimately, the jury is still out.

Gyökeres has not yet proven himself as Arsenal’s long-term No.9, but neither has he failed. The coming months will be decisive — either he silences the critics with goals and decisive moments, or the questions around his suitability will grow louder. For now, Arsenal fans will be hoping patience pays off, and that Gyökeres evolves into the striker they’ve long been searching for.