BREAKING NEWS: coming live from Emirates, Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has voiced his dissatisfaction with Mikel Arteta for letting go of a remarkable goal-scorer who departed Arsenal for free and has since surpassed even Kai Havertz in goal-scorig prowess, tallying 15 goals and assists in just seven games.
Arsenal might have missed an opportunity to secure one of Europe’s top talents before the competition for his signature becomes fierce. Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar, the club’s Director of Football, opted against pursuing a summer target due to the high asking price, but the player in question has certainly justified his steep valuation with an explosive start to the 2024/25 season.
Arsenal’s decision to pass on Viktor Gyökeres could come back to haunt them, as the Swedish forward is rapidly proving that he is worth every penny of his hefty price tag. Fabrizio Romano reported that the Gunners walked away from Gyökeres due to his £86 million release clause. In his conversation with *Men in Blazers*, Romano stated, “Arsenal could add another offensive player, but I don’t think it will be an expensive player like Viktor Gyökeres. I think this is too expensive, but maybe a new winger, a different type of player who can provide fresh energy behind Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.”
Romano’s prediction came true when Arsenal instead opted for Raheem Sterling, securing the Chelsea forward on loan. However, as Gyökeres continues his remarkable form at Sporting CP, Arsenal might soon regret their decision not to invest in him during the summer transfer window.
Since the start of the 2024/25 season, Gyökeres has been in sensational form, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in just five appearances for Sporting CP. His performance has been nothing short of stellar, further cementing his status as one of the top forwards in Europe. Additionally, Gyökeres has continued his impressive run on the international stage, netting three goals and assisting two more in just two UEFA Nations League appearances for Sweden. That brings his tally to an extraordinary ten goals and five assists in only seven games this season.
This hot streak should come as no surprise, especially given his performances in the previous season, where Gyökeres finished with an incredible 43 goals and 15 assists from 50 appearances. His ability to deliver consistently on both the domestic and international stages has elevated his reputation, and many top European clubs are likely to take notice.
Arsenal may have passed on Gyökeres, but they might get another opportunity to secure his services in the future. While it seems that Europe’s elite clubs are already circling around the Swedish forward, the Gunners could still be in with a chance to sign him next summer. The recent transfer activity of other top clubs, such as Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappé, Bayern Munich’s signing of Harry Kane, and Manchester City’s retaining of Erling Haaland, means that Arsenal could potentially avoid direct competition with these sides for a striker.
However, Arsenal’s lack of a reliable No.9, someone who can consistently deliver crucial goals when needed, may prompt Arteta to reconsider a move for Gyökeres. If the Gunners continue to struggle in front of goal, missing out on a game-winning striker, Arteta may feel the need to activate Gyökeres’ £86 million release clause. A clinical forward like him could make all the difference in tight matches where Arsenal might otherwise be held to a draw or suffer a defeat. In such scenarios, a player who can convert chances and steal points from games would be invaluable.
With the Gunners looking to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and European competitions, the absence of a proven goal-scorer in their ranks may force Arsenal to take a more aggressive approach in the upcoming transfer window. Should they fail to sign Gyökeres or a similar forward, Arteta could find himself under increasing pressure to find a solution, as the club cannot afford another season without a reliable attacking option capable of making the difference in key moments.
In conclusion, while Arsenal may have opted not to sign Viktor Gyökeres in the summer due to his high price, they could very well regret that decision as his stock continues to rise. With the Swedish forward in sensational form this season, it’s clear that he has the potential to become one of the top strikers in Europe. If Arsenal cannot address their striking issues soon, Arteta may be forced to reconsider his stance on Gyökeres and trigger his £86 million release clause next summer. Given the current state of their attack, Arsenal could certainly benefit from having a player of Gyökeres’ caliber leading the line.
