From “flat-track bully” to title talisman: Gyokeres silences critics as Arsenal surge toward glory | OneFootball

Few footballers have faced more scrutiny than Viktor Gyokeres this season. Billed as the missing piece of the puzzle for Arsenal, it has been all eyes on Gyokeres since his arrival from Sporting CP last summer.

The modern world of social media spotlights means each and every individual error is magnified. Gyokeres had played only an hour ofPremier League football for Arsenal on the opening weekend before the tribalistic taunts arrived. Clunky. Cumbersome.

Two goals against Leeds got him up and running, but even that was followed by its own criticism. Flat-track bully. Penalty dependent. Gyokeres has heard it all.

But as Arsenal advanced to the Champions League final on Tuesday night, it was a result that provided vindication. Gyokeres was not on target at the Emirates, but he produced an all-round performance that looked very much like a £64m striker. He had earlier converted a nerveless penalty amid the whistles of the Metropolitano, to ensure Arsenal escaped Atletico Madrid level in the tie.

In between, Gyokeres scored twice as Arsenal eased past Fulham in the Premier League. With Manchester City breathing down their neck and the prospect of the title race being decided on goal difference, Gyokeres was there.

First, he met Bukayo Saka's searching cross to tap home, before planting a fantastic header past Bernd Leno. Momentum restored, City's subsequent slip at Everton leaves the title race in Arsenal's hands.

Arsenal great on Gyokeres: "He reminded me of a Haaland."

"The best I have seen him play. He reminded me of a (Erling) Haaland," former Arsenal player Paul Merson said onSky Sports.

"I thought the players trusted him a lot more. I have given him a lot of stick. If they win the league, he has been a brilliant buy. If they don't, maybe he hasn't.

"He was put in the team to make sure they beat the lesser teams, and he has done. You want your striker to get 20 goals, and he has done that.

"He was really good today and that is what they bought him for. Those performances haven't been there week in and week out, but if they are for the next four weeks, then money back."

Those goals were a continuation of Gyokeres' form since the turn of the year. He's scored ninePremier League goals in his last 12 appearances, and now has 21 for the campaign in all competitions.

It's not quite the frightening return seen in Portugal, but no one expected that. Only nine players across Europe have scored more goals than Gyokeres this season.

Among those who haven't, include one-time Arsenal targets Alexander Isak, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, and Benjamin Sesko.

Gyokeres' 21 goals also make his the 10th highest-scoring debut season in Arsenal's history. Just two of those have come in the Premier League era, and only one this century.

It would be no surprise to see the Swede climb a few rungs on the ladder before the season's out.

Gyokeres might not be the perfect player. His style might not even suit the Arsenal aesthetic. But there's an argument that Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team did get it right. Arsenal needed something different, a goalscorer by trade, and Gyokeres is that. If Arsenal can get over the line in the Premier League and Champions League, this will be a transfer that was money well spent.