Gyökeres answers critics as Arsenal crush Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates

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·24 agosto 2025

Gyökeres answers critics as Arsenal crush Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates

Against Leeds, Arsenal delivered one of those performances that felt tailor-made for their critics.

Much was said after the narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United. Some accused the Gunners of lacking the grit to challenge for the title, and others predicted another frustrating campaign.

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But Arsenal do their talking on the pitch, and in the 5-0 victory over Leeds, the message was clear. As the Gunners ran riot, it was obvious they were not here to play around.

Plenty has been said about the win, but can we really let Viktor Gyökeres’ brace slip under the radar? The Swede had faced heavy criticism for his quiet outing at Old Trafford. Many were quick to label him a flop. Against Leeds, he delivered the perfect response.

Gyökeres opens his Premier League account

His first half was not flawless. He missed a golden chance in the 17th minute when a loose ball dropped kindly in the box, only for him to send it wide. But whatever Mikel Arteta said to him at half-time clearly worked.

Early in the second half, Gyökeres latched onto a long ball down the left, cut inside, and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner for his first Premier League goal in Arsenal colours. Later, he confidently dispatched a penalty to seal the win.

Viktor Gyökeres (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

English media react to Leeds performance

The consensus was clear: this was a marked improvement from his Manchester United display, and Gyökeres is beginning to look at home in North London.

Goal wrote: “Feel the relief! Cut inside and slotted home for his first goal in an Arsenal shirt, which helped make up for a horrible, rushed effort in the first half that flew wide. Added a second in stoppage time with a powerful penalty.”

The Express claimed: “Offered Arsenal a physical presence up front after his underwhelming display against Manchester United last weekend. Took a while for him to get into the game, but sparked into life at the start of the second half as he worked some space to fire in his first goal of the season. Held his nerve from 12 yards in stoppage time at the end of the match.”

Football Insider noted: “The Sweden international struggled against Man United and it looked as if he would suffer the same fate against Leeds, before finding the back of the net, much to the joy and relief of the home crowd, capped off his home debut with a goal from the penalty spot.”

Piers Morgan added: “Two for our new main man. Arsenal are winning the League this season… and it will be thanks to this goal machine.”

The floodgates open

Gyökeres was signed to score goals, and he is starting to do just that. What is more, he is doing it without significant service. Both strikes against Leeds were born of individual brilliance.

So imagine what happens when the team starts playing to his strengths, spotting his runs and threading through balls into space.

It will be frightening, though thankfully not for us Gooners!

Daniel O

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