He’ll Score 20, But… — Gary Neville Drops Brutal Verdict on Arsenal Star Viktor Gyökeres

Viktor Gyökeres is back in the headlines — not just for his goals, but for the debate they’ve sparked. The Swedish striker reignited his scoring touch this week, netting twice in Arsenal’s thunderous 4–0 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates. The fans roared, the Emirates pulsed, and Mikel Arteta could finally breathe a little easier after weeks of questions about his No.9. But just as Gyökeres seemed to silence his critics, Gary Neville poured cold water on the celebrations.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, Neville delivered a verdict that was both complimentary and cutting: “Do you know Gyökeres? He’s going to score 20 goals,” he said. “But in games and in moments that maybe aren’t quite big goals. He’s going to contribute a lot — but you know what I mean by that.” The former Manchester United captain’s tone was measured, but the message was clear: Gyökeres may thrive against lesser opponents, but can he deliver when it truly matters?

For a player who’s quickly become one of the most talked-about figures at the Emirates, those words sting. Gyökeres’ physical dominance, pressing intensity, and ability to bully defenses have made him indispensable. Yet, Neville’s criticism exposes the one lingering doubt: can he become Arsenal’s man for the big moments — the player who decides derbies, title battles, and European nights?

It’s worth noting that Neville’s comments weren’t entirely dismissive. In fact, they underscore an old truth about championship-winning sides: success isn’t built solely on big-match winners, but on strikers who can consistently punish weaker teams. Arsenal have often stumbled in those exact fixtures — the scrappy, stubborn matches against low-block sides where patience runs thin. If Gyökeres can turn those fixtures into his playground, he might just be the missing piece in Arsenal’s title push.

Before the Atletico clash, the Swede had gone over a month without scoring. It was a stretch that tested both his confidence and Arteta’s faith. Yet, the Arsenal manager never wavered — starting him in 12 straight matches across all competitions. That trust paid off in emphatic fashion under the European lights. Both of Gyökeres’ goals were pure striker’s finishes — sharp movement, perfect timing, ruthless execution. It wasn’t just the numbers that mattered, but the manner of his return: confident, instinctive, inevitable.

After the match, Arteta praised his forward with quiet conviction. “He’s powerful, tireless, and he never hides,” the Spaniard said. “He’s vital for how we play — not just for goals, but for the chaos he creates.” Those last words say everything about what Gyökeres brings to Arsenal. Even when not scoring, he stretches defenses, opens passing lanes, and draws markers out of position — giving space to Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Gabriel Martinelli to thrive.

The statistics back up his growing influence. With 5 goals and 3 assists already this season, Gyökeres averages 3.4 shots per game and wins nearly two-thirds of his duels. More impressively, Arsenal have won every match in which he’s found the net. Those are not the numbers of a passenger — they’re the figures of a player steadily embedding himself into the team’s DNA.

Still, Neville’s challenge lingers like a shadow. Arsenal fans remember how previous forwards — from Alexandre Lacazette to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — delivered in bursts but faded when pressure peaked. Gyökeres, however, has a different edge. His style is raw, industrial, and unrelenting. He doesn’t rely on flair but on persistence. If anything, he looks built for the grind of a 38-game season rather than the occasional highlight reel moment.

In the long run, that might be exactly what Arsenal need. The “small” games — the cold, gritty away days and home matches against defensive opponents — often decide the title race. Those are the fixtures where Gyökeres’ relentless engine and physicality could make the biggest difference. If he racks up 20 goals this season, even if few come in marquee clashes, he will have done his job: converting consistency into silverware.

As Arsenal prepare for another crucial run of fixtures, the Swede’s confidence looks restored. His drought is over, his rhythm is back, and his understanding with Ødegaard and Saka is sharpening. Neville may have questioned his big-game pedigree, but Gyökeres now has the perfect motivation — to prove that his goals don’t just fill scorelines, but shape history.

Whether he becomes Arsenal’s next cult hero or another fleeting experiment depends on what he does next. But for now, Viktor Gyökeres stands tall, grinning, with two goals in the bank and a challenge from one of football’s sharpest critics echoing in his ears. He’ll score 20 — maybe more — and soon enough, Gary Neville might have to admit that the “non-big” goals were exactly what Arsenal needed all along.