Why Gary Neville still isn’t convinced by Arsenal’s new goal machine

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·16 septembre 2025

Why Gary Neville still isn’t convinced by Arsenal’s new goal machine

Three goals in four games, Viktor Gyökeres hasn’t made a bad start to life as an Arsenal player.

The Swede may, after all, be exactly who Arsenal were told he was. After racking up a staggering 97 goals across two seasons with Sporting CP, the best way to describe him is simple: a goal-scoring monster.

Vidéos OneFootball

Neville Has His Doubts

Gary Neville agrees Arsenal now have a striker who will deliver goals. But while he is confident Gyökeres can hit the 20-goal mark, he has echoed Troy Deeney’s concerns about the forward’s impact in big games.

“I think the best defenders might handle him – we’ll see. But I think he’ll beat up smaller teams for Arsenal,” Neville said onThe Gary Neville Podcast.

“That’s not a bad thing. Scoring loads of goals and getting 20 this season, which he could do, doesn’t necessarily have to be against the big teams.”

Gyökeres failed to shine against Manchester United and Liverpool, and a narrative is beginning to form. Gooners may be left frustrated by their No. 14 in big games, as he would go missing.

However, considering how cautious Arsenal were in those matches, playing with the handbrake on rather than showing bravery, it is obvious that Gyökeres was starved of chances. And without service, even the most lethal striker struggles to make an impact.

Viktor Gyökeres (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Arsenal Must Play to Gyökeres’ Strengths

If Arteta is bold enough to let Arsenal play without the handbrake against top sides, Gyökeres might prove he can punish the elite as ruthlessly as he does the rest.

Tonight marks the start of Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, with a trip to the iconic San Mamés to face Athletic Club.

It is the kind of game Gyökeres needs to own, a performance that silences the doubters and reminds everyone why Arsenal brought him.

It would be good to see Gyokeres silence his doubters. 3 goals in 4 games is not a bad return in my opinion, particularly given Arsenal’s very tough fixtures at the start of the season – never mind that Arsenal are in the process of integrating 8 new summer-signings into the squad, including Gyokeres.

Your thoughts on Gyokeres and the press? Let us know in the comments.

Daniel O

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