Viktor Gyokeres Stats: Why Swedish superstar should be top of Arsenal's January wishlist
If you thought the international break would slow Viktor Gyokeres down, then you were certainly mistaken. Sweden have one of the most potent frontlines on the international stage, with Dejan Kulusevski providing the ammunition for Gyokeres and Newcastle star Alexander Isak.
Sweden scored eight goals during the November international break, six of which Gyokeres scored or assisted. Unsurprisingly, the former Coventry man is one of the most sought after strikers in world football, and Ruben Amorim’s exit for Manchester United only increases the likelihood of the 26-year-old departing for pastures new, be that in January or at the end of the season.
Sporting will be keen to retain Gyokeres’ services beyond next summer but that looks nigh-on impossible at this stage. The vultures are already circling Lisbon, more so after his hat-trick heroics against Manchester City earlier this month. The rumour mill will go into overdrive if he were to repeat the feat against Arsenal this evening.
The Gunners came through a rocky patch with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend but their away form leaves little to the imagination. Indeed, they have won only one of their last seven away games, and even that was against lower league opposition in the EFL Cup. A trip to a Sporting side that has now won nine on the spin at home following their resounding 6-0 win over Amarante FC is hardly ideal for Mikel Arteta’s men.
And they may just bear witness to another Gyokeres masterclass this evening. Arsenal have conceded at least once in five of their last six away matches, while the in-form frontman has scored in every home game in 2024/25. The north London side are among the sides linked with a move for Gyokeres as they seek to bolster their frontline.
Even with Kai Havertz’s commendable performances, fans are desperate to see some investment on the frontline before long, and that shouldn’t come as a shock. Arsenal have scored 21 league goals this season, that ranking sixth in the Premier League, and just one more than relegation-threatened Wolves. Gyokeres was one of the strikers linked with a move to the Emirates over the summer, but Arsenal, and others, were ultimately priced out of a move for the Sporting star.
With reports suggesting that Gyokeres will be available for as little as £63m next summer, a huge drop in his reported £83m release clause, suitors are on high alert over any race to land the Liga Portugal marksman. Not only has Gyokeres scored more goals (16) than any other player in Portugal’s top tier this term, he also ranks top for big chances scored (15), second for possession won in the attacking third (13), and fourth for key passes (22) and successful dribbles (27). No player, meanwhile, has scored more goals in the Champions League (5) ahead of tonight’s game.
🇸🇪 Viktor Gyokeres' statistically calculated WhoScored characteristics:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 26, 2024
✅ Strengths
🟢 Key passes
🟢 Dribbling
🟢 Finishing
🟢 Holding on to the ball
🟢 Passing
🟢 Through balls
❌ Weaknesses
🔴 Defensive contribution pic.twitter.com/rFe4bBLabr
With the experience of playing as a lone frontman, and carrying out these duties effectively, it’s no wonder that interested parties that implement a system relying on similar sole striker to Sporting are keeping a close eye on Gyokeres.
The Sporting star won over a legion of Manchester United admirers when he struck a hat-trick against City in Amorim’s final home game at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, and it’s no surprise that the Premier League powerhouse have been linked with a move for Gyokeres. Another standout display in the Portuguese capital tonight will leave Arsenal fans clamouring for his services.