Viktor Gyokeres’ highly anticipated Premier League debut for Arsenal didn’t go as planned, as the £64 million striker failed to register a single shot in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. While the result went Arsenal’s way, all eyes were on the Swedish forward, who endured a frustrating first outing in England’s top flight.
The 26-year-old, signed from Sporting CP in one of the summer’s biggest deals, had built a reputation as a relentless, goal-hungry forward in Portugal. But his Premier League debut was a different story—one that ended a personal streak of 69 consecutive league appearances with at least one shot attempted, according to the BBC. That streak had stretched back to his final days at Coventry City in the Championship.
No Shots, Few Touches: A Quiet Night for Arsenal’s New No. 14
Despite his proven pedigree—scoring 43 goals across all competitions for Sporting last season—Gyokeres was largely anonymous in front of goal. He managed only 21 touches in 60 minutes of play, completing just four of nine passes. As Sky Sports reported, only three of those touches came inside the United penalty box. With Arsenal struggling to build fluid attacks, Gyokeres cut a frustrated figure before being substituted early in the second half for Kai Havertz.
Statistically, it was one of the quietest games of Gyokeres’ professional career. For a striker known for his high work rate and clinical finishing, not getting a single shot off was a glaring deviation from the norm.
Arteta: “We Need to Be Patient”
After the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta defended the Swedish striker’s underwhelming debut. Speaking to The Athletic, Arteta said, “He’s learning how we play, and adapting to a new league. These things take time. He’s a top player and we brought him here for a reason.”
Arteta also emphasized that the system Arsenal is building—one that relies on high tempo, positional rotations, and fluid front-line movement—will take some adjusting for a player more accustomed to direct counter-attacking football in Portugal and the Championship.
Arsenal Grind Out the Win at Old Trafford
Despite Viktor Gyokeres struggling to make an impact, Arsenal still managed to leave Old Trafford with a valuable three points. Manchester United dominated stretches of the game, controlling possession and creating more clear chances, but Arsenal’s defense held firm. The winning goal came from new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who struck cleanly late in the game to silence the home crowd.
As The Guardian noted, this was a statement performance—not because of free-flowing attacking football, but because Arsenal showed the kind of resilience and maturity needed to win ugly.
Pressure or Perspective?
The buzz around Gyokeres’ Premier League debut was inevitable. Arsenal fans had been clamoring for a clinical No. 9 to lead the line, and his price tag brought expectations of instant results. But the truth is, the Premier League is a different beast. Even seasoned strikers can take time to adjust to its intensity and physicality.
Gyokeres showed signs of pressing effort, attempting to disrupt United’s buildup, but lacked service and support to showcase his attacking instincts. His movement was sharp, but the chemistry with teammates like Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka is clearly still developing.
What’s Next for Viktor Gyokeres?
Arsenal’s next test comes at the Emirates Stadium against newly promoted Ipswich Town. It could be the ideal scenario for Gyokeres to find his footing—against a side likely to sit deep and invite pressure. Expect Arteta to give his striker another shot at proving himself, especially as Arsenal aim to maintain momentum in the opening weeks of the season.
There’s no doubt that Viktor Gyokeres has the physical tools and track record to become a Premier League success. But as his debut showed, even elite players need time to settle. Arsenal supporters will be hoping this is simply a slow start, not a sign of a mismatch.
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