The Gyökeres Paradox: Why Arsenal’s £65M Striker Has Only Scored 5 Goals In The 24/25 Season
The 2024/2025 football season has presented a fascinating paradox for one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers: Viktor Gyökeres. As of today, December 22, 2025, the Swedish international finds himself at the center of a major football debate, having completed a blockbuster transfer to Arsenal in the summer, yet struggling to replicate the prolific goal-scoring form that made him a global sensation. His current goal tally for the Gunners is a far cry from the numbers he posted in Portugal, leading to intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike, including harsh verdicts from figures like Paul Scholes.
The story of Gyökeres’s 24/25 season is a tale of two halves, split by a massive transfer fee reportedly reaching up to £65 million (€74.2 million). His move from Sporting CP to the Premier League was supposed to be the final piece of Mikel Arteta’s title-contending puzzle, but an unexpectedly slow start has raised questions about his suitability for the English top flight and the pressure of a major European club. This article breaks down his goal-scoring performance and statistics across both clubs in the 2024/2025 campaign.
Viktor Gyökeres: Full Biography and Career Profile
Viktor Einar Gyökeres is a Swedish professional footballer whose career trajectory has been defined by his powerful physique, blistering speed, and clinical finishing. His journey from the Swedish league to becoming one of Europe's most expensive strikers is a testament to his relentless work ethic and development.
- Full Name: Viktor Einar Gyökeres
- Date of Birth: June 4, 1998
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 27
- Place of Birth: Stockholm, Sweden
- Nationality: Swedish
- Height: 187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
- Position: Centre-Forward / Striker
- Current Club: Arsenal FC (since July 2025)
- Shirt Number: 14 (at Arsenal)
- Key Previous Clubs: Sporting CP, Coventry City, Brighton & Hove Albion, St. Pauli, IF Brommapojkarna
- International Career: Sweden National Team (Full International)
- Transfer Fee (to Arsenal): Approximately £55m–£65m (€63.5m–€74.2m)
The Tale of Two Halves: Gyökeres’s 2024/2025 Goal Statistics
To accurately assess Viktor Gyökeres's performance in the 2024/2025 season, one must analyze his output across his two clubs. The incredible hype surrounding his Arsenal transfer stemmed from a sensational 2023/2024 season, where he finished as the world’s leading marksman for the calendar year 2024 with 62 goals in 63 appearances.
Phase 1: The Sporting CP Goal Machine (Summer 2024)
The start of the 2024/2025 season saw Gyökeres continue his phenomenal run at Sporting CP. His performances in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and early Liga Portugal fixtures were a continuation of his previous season's form, showcasing his devastating counter-attack threat.
- Champions League: Gyökeres was particularly potent in European competition, netting 6 goals in 8 appearances, a rate that kept him among the top scorers in the early stages of the tournament.
- Liga Portugal: While specific goal numbers for the very start of the 24/25 Liga Portugal season are less consistent across sources due to the transfer, his overall high-level performance maintained his massive market value. His ability to create for others was also evident, with some sources crediting him with a high number of assists before his departure.
His dominant performances in Lisbon cemented his status as a complete centre-forward, capable of scoring with both feet, utilizing his physical prowess, and contributing significantly to the team's build-up play through intelligent layoffs and pressing.
Phase 2: The Arsenal Challenge (July 2025 – December 2025)
Following his high-profile move to the Emirates Stadium in July 2025, the pressure on Gyökeres to perform immediately was immense. The Premier League, known for its intensity and high defensive quality, has proven to be a significant step up in challenge.
- Total Arsenal Goals (All Competitions 24/25): 5 Goals
- Premier League Appearances: 14 matches
- Premier League Goals: 4 Goals
- Total Arsenal Appearances (All Competitions): 15 matches
As of late December 2025, his return of 5 goals in 15 appearances is considered a "slow start" for a striker of his price tag. This dip in form has led to public criticism, with football figures suggesting his transfer was a mistake and that he may not be the clinical finisher Arsenal needs.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly addressed the situation, making demands of the striker to adapt his game and integrate more effectively into the team's intricate tactical system. The transition from Sporting's often counter-attacking style to Arsenal's possession-based, high-pressing structure is a significant tactical adjustment. Gyökeres is an active and intelligent presser, but the sheer volume of high-pressure moments in the Premier League requires a different level of sustained tactical awareness.
What is Holding Gyökeres Back at Arsenal?
The curiosity surrounding Gyökeres’s reduced goal output is rooted in a few key areas that define his current struggles in North London. Analyzing his playing style and the tactical environment reveals why the goals have dried up since his move.
1. Tactical Adaptation and Role Change
At Sporting, Gyökeres was the undisputed focal point, often leading the line in a system designed to maximize his speed on the break. At Arsenal, the team’s attack is more fluid, requiring the number nine to be a link-up player as much as a finisher. He is expected to perform more "layoffs" and hold-up play to bring the creative midfielders into the game.
2. The Premier League's Intensity and Physicality
While Gyökeres possesses exceptional physical prowess and strength, the Premier League’s central defenders—such as Virgil van Dijk, Rúben Dias, and William Saliba—provide a much tougher, more consistent physical battle than he faced in Liga Portugal. The sheer speed of the game means he has less time to execute his preferred right-footed finishes.
3. Pressure and Confidence
The £65 million price tag is an enormous psychological burden. Every missed chance and every quiet game is amplified by the media and fan base. Reports suggest that this pressure, combined with the new demands from Mikel Arteta, may be impacting his confidence, resulting in a less clinical edge in front of goal.
Ultimately, the 2024/2025 season remains a work in progress for Viktor Gyökeres. While his overall goal tally for the calendar year 2024 was world-class, his current performance at Arsenal is a litmus test of his ability to adapt to elite-level club football in a new country. Fans will be hoping that the second half of the season sees the Swedish star finally click into gear, turning his current paradox into a triumphant return to form.
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