When Arsenal secured Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon in the summer of 2025 for around £55 million, expectations were sky-high.
The Swedish striker arrived with a phenomenal record from Portugal — 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting — and a reputation as one of Europe’s most complete centre-forwards. Arsenal fans hoped he would be the final piece in Mikel Arteta’s push for the Premier League title, offering the clinical edge that had sometimes eluded them.
Early Output and Numbers
Now into October, Gyökeres has made seven Premier League appearances, totalling roughly 575 minutes, scoring three goals and registering no assists. That works out to 0.47 goals per 90 minutes — a solid return for a player adapting to a new league and system.
His underlying data tells an encouraging story. His expected goals (xG) sits around 3.0, closely matching his actual total, suggesting he’s neither overperforming nor wasteful. His non-penalty xG (npxG) of about 2.2 indicates he’s consistently getting into good scoring positions even when not from the spot.
In terms of volume, he’s averaged 2.4 shots per 90, with a shot conversion rate hovering around 23%, putting him among the better performers in the league for finishing efficiency. He’s also posting a shots on target percentage near 30%, reflecting a balance between frequency and quality of attempts.
However, his creative involvement has been limited so far. With just five key passes and a pass completion rate of roughly 59%, Gyökeres’ role has been largely focused on occupying centre-backs and finishing chances rather than linking play. That may shift as he becomes more comfortable with Arsenal’s fluid attacking patterns.
Highlights and Adaptation
His standout performance came in the 5–0 win over Leeds United, where he opened his Arsenal account with a brace — one confidently taken penalty and a sharp finish from open play. That match seemed to lift a weight off his shoulders after a quiet debut against Manchester United, where he managed just 22 touches and no shots before being substituted.
He’s also shown flashes in Europe, hitting the post in the Champions League against Olympiakos and demonstrating his trademark movement off the ball. Those moments underline his natural striker’s instincts — the timing of his runs and ability to create separation in tight spaces remain his biggest strengths.
Early Assessment
Statistically, Gyökeres’ start is steady rather than spectacular, but there’s plenty of evidence that he’s on the right trajectory. His goal return matches his expected metrics, which suggests sustainability rather than a hot streak. The challenge now is to integrate more fully into Arsenal’s buildup play, link with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli more fluidly, and maintain his shot volume against stronger opposition.
The early data points to a striker who is adapting responsibly and offering consistent output — a promising sign given the difficulty of transitioning from the Portuguese league to the Premier League. If Gyökeres continues to build chemistry with his teammates and sustain his current expected goal levels, Arsenal may soon have the complete No. 9 they’ve long been searching for.