Arsenal will never have better chance to win title but must solve £64m Viktor Gyokeres problem
Arsenal have built a cushion at the top of the Premier League after the early weeks of the season but are yet to get their big-money striker firing on all cylinders
10:53, 20 Oct 2025
Football loving writer who spends much of his life on motorways getting to games all over the country. Passionate about football, my job and the Mirror. The Premier League is the best in the world and always believe England has a chance.
Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
View 3 ImagesGyokeres is yet to fire on all cylinders for Arsenal(Image: Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta will never have a better chance of winning the Premier League title. But it is time to admit Arsenal[1] do have a ?64m problem in the form of Viktor Gyokores.
Arsenal find themselves three points clear at the top, four points clear of champions Liverpool[2] who have clearly got issues after four straight defeats.
And huge credit to Arteta's men because they are in that position after a nightmare start which saw them have to go to Old Trafford, Anfield and St James's Park while also entertaining second-placed Manchester City.[3]
That is testament to the depth of Arteta's squad. I still do not think it is the strongest squad - how can it be when Liverpool won the title by a street last season? - but it is certainly the deepest.
And they have done it all with arguably their biggest and most notable summer signing looking like he is a long way from being ready for the Premier League.
I really admire the Arsenal fans standing up for their man.
Gyokeres did well - or better, maybe - at Newcastle before the international break when he worked hard, occupied defenders and created space.
But you really should be getting more bang for your buck when you splash out ?64m than the performance he delivered at Fulham on Saturday.
Gyokeres looked sluggish, his movement was poor and he missed chances. Of course Arteta has to say all the right things and back his man.
Why? Well, that's obvious but there's another big issue here: he cannot take him out of the firing line with both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus still coming back from injury.
View 3 ImagesArsenal already have a cushion at the top of the Premier League(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Until then, the reality is that Arsenal will have to keep on playing Gyokeres and his confidence might take a battering when, in different circumstances, they may have been able to take their No9 out of the firing line to allow him to adapt gradually.
They miss Havertz's ability to glide and Jesus's dribbling skills.
They have bought themselves a battering ram in Gyokeres and, even with Arsenal's set-pieces, corners and long throws, he does not seem able to take advantage of that either. They are playing to his strengths.
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, one of the club's greatest and First Division top scorer in both title wins in 1989 and 1991, summed it up when he said in commentary from Fulham that Gyokeres may lack the technical quality of his team mates but can score 20-plus this season.
View 3 ImagesGyokeres has gone seven Arsenal games without a goal contribution(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Gyokeres needs to put them in against the lesser teams. Be a flat track bully.
But he's not really done that yet. He has scored three goals and maybe he will come good. But it has to be a worry for Arsenal.
He desperately needs a goal - and it shows.
But this should be Arsenal's time. They spent big in the window, backed their manager and really it is hard to offer any excuses for not seizing the moment.
Liverpool look a team short on confidence, struggling too blend in all their new signings and they do not look right defensively.
I think City might be the closest challengers. They have moments when they look so strong.
They still look as if they have yet to click into gear... but they are getting there.
Article continues belowThis should be Arsenal's year. And if they do it - it will have to be with or without Gyokeres.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.[6][7][8][9] Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more[10]
?43
?35
Sky
Get the deal here[11]Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports[12] bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members ?192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
References
- ^ Arsenal (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Liverpool (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Manchester City. (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Arsenal get new penalty VAR verdict as Anthony Taylor decision picked apart (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Arsenal star takes aim at Gary Neville with cheeky dig Man Utd hero will accept (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Join our new WhatsApp community (chat.whatsapp.com)
- ^ Mirror (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Football (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
- ^ Learn more (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Get the deal here (www.awin1.com)
- ^ Essential TV and Sky Sports (www.awin1.com)