Viktor Gyökeres’ long-awaited Premier League debut for Arsenal was expected to be explosive, but instead it turned into a night he will want to forget despite his team’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The £85 million signing from Sporting CP had been billed as the striker to bring a “fear factor” back to Arsenal’s attack. However, during his 60 minutes on the pitch, the Swedish forward failed to register a single shot a shocking outcome for a player renowned for his tireless movement and ruthless finishing.
This goalless outing broke a personal two-year record. Data shows that Gyökeres had gone 69 consecutive league games without ever failing to attempt a shot. The last time he drew such a blank was in April 2023, when he played for Coventry City against Blackburn Rovers. During his two-year spell at Sporting, where he scored 43 goals, not once did he go through a match without testing the opposition.
His struggles on debut were perhaps unsurprising given the circumstances. The striker missed most of pre-season while negotiating his move to Arsenal and has only trained a handful of times with Mikel Arteta’s squad. That lack of sharpness was evident at Old Trafford. Though he made intelligent runs and showed glimpses of his trademark physicality, his link-up play with teammates was off the mark. On several occasions, he was in promising positions but the final pass never arrived.
By the hour mark, Arteta replaced him with Kai Havertz, to the delight of the Manchester United fans who jeered as he walked off. It was hardly the introduction to English football Gyökeres had imagined.
Still, Arteta defended his new signing after the match, stressing that Arsenal failed to create situations that could properly showcase the striker’s qualities. The manager pointed out that his team did not manage to exploit the space in behind United’s defence, limiting Gyökeres’ opportunities.
Arsenal’s tactical evolution this season is designed to play more directly, a style meant to amplify Gyökeres’ ability to overpower defenders and score inside the box. But patience will be key as he adapts to the pace and demands of the Premier League.
What is clear is that Arsenal have invested in a forward with enormous potential. While his debut was underwhelming, it will likely be just the first step in a longer journey toward becoming the Gunners’ attacking talisman.
