Is Viktor Gyokeres the right striker for Arsenal? Breaking down the potential £68million transfer | OneFootball

Arsenal’s search for a prolific No.9 may soon end with the reported pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, the Swedish striker who has been destroying defences in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

With an initial transfer fee of £56m that could rise by a further £13m in add-ons, is he worth the investment?

The numbers from Sporting CP last two seasons suggest a resounding ‘yes’.

Gyokeres scored a staggering 39 league goals in 33 matches last season, ending the campaign as the top scorer by a wide margin. Across all competitions, he registered 54 goals, helping Sporting secure a domestic double.

What sets Gyokeres apart is his elite finishing. Though not one usually to employ expected goals (xG) stats in my analyses, I will make an exception here as the Super Swede’s numbers are eye-catching. His xG of 30.8 compared to his actual return of 39 league goals puts him 8.2 goals above xG—a sign of clinical efficiency that few strikers in Europe can match.

He averaged 1.25 goals per 90 minutes and 1.48 goal contributions per 90, while also scoring six times in eight Champions League appearances. If he can do only half as well for Arsenal, his signing will be deemed a success.

Tactically, Gyokeres may fit perfectly into Mikel Arteta’s high-pressing Arsenal system. He averages 4.94 shots per 90 minutes, completes 2.16 key passes and has a 71 per cent shot accuracy. A physical presence with pace and work rate, he resembles a modern striker who can lead the line aggressively and stretch Premier League defences.

However, Arsenal must weigh the risks. The Primeira Liga, while competitive, does not match the physicality and tactical discipline of the Premier League. Past signings, such as Darwin Nunez, have needed time to adapt.

Gyokeres also averages just 22 touches per game, and his 73.8 per cent pass completion rate suggests he may not yet be the complete link-up forward that Arsenal’s intricate attacking patterns require.

The fee is another factor. For a player yet to prove himself in England, it’s a hefty investment, especially with other striker options such as Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney on the market.

Gyokeres offers power, pace, and ruthless finishing; three attributes Arsenal’s frontline has occasionally lacked. While the adaptation curve from Portugal to the Premier League is steep, his stats and playing style suggest he could become a game-changer under Arteta.

With the right coaching and tactical fit, he might just be the missing piece in Arsenal’s title push.