Viktor Gyokeres unfairly compared to Nicklas Bendtner as circumstances beyond his control spark criticism

Since Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon for a hefty £55 million, the Swedish striker has found himself under the spotlight. With only three goals to his name so far, some supporters have voiced concerns about his adjustment to the Premier League, noting that he sometimes appears out of sync with the team’s rhythm.

A particular comparison that caught attention came from an Arsenal fan named Jamie, who shared his thoughts on talkSPORT Breakfast with Alan Brazil and Gabby Agbonlahor. Jamie argued, “Arteta is not getting the best out of him. He’s using him like Nicklas Bendtner. He’s just launching the ball up to him. He’s not playing him through balls.” He went on to express frustration at Arsenal’s style, lamenting, “Watching Arsenal is so frustrating playing around the box, and either get a tap-in or a lucky goal.”

Alan Brazil responded to Jamie’s concerns by acknowledging Gyokeres’ work ethic, saying, “I want Gyokeres to do well, I am just not sure. He will work his socks off. It’s interesting what Jamie is saying there about him being like Bendtner. I think he is probably better than Bendtner, but I understand where Jamie is coming from. You have got get half a yard and get the ball into the box.” Agbonlahor added his optimism: “He makes great runs. I think Gyokeres will come good for Arsenal.”

Despite mixed reviews, there have been positive moments for Gyokeres as he continues to acclimatize. Arsenal’s recent 2-0 victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League saw the forward deliver a strong performance, even if he didn’t find the net. Manager Mikel Arteta praised his contribution, stating: “He had an incredible performance. As you said, apart from the goal, I think he did the rest of the things you ask for from a striker. The way he’s linking with his teammates, the way he’s opening spaces, the way he’s constantly threatening the back line. He had three or four big situations where he could have scored a goal, so it will come.”

Gyokeres’ display against Olympiacos followed another promising outing versus Newcastle United. Although a penalty he won was overturned, his intelligent movement and resilience against the physicality of defenders like Sven Botman, Malick Thiaw, and Jamaal Lascelles stood out. His involvement in Arsenal’s counter-attacks demonstrated his ability to adapt to Premier League demands, despite not yet increasing his goal tally.

Statistically, Gyokeres has not taken many shots, which may be symptomatic of how Arsenal’s tactics have been deploying him. However, the return of Martin Odegaard against Olympiacos appeared to benefit Gyokeres, with the midfielder showing a willingness to supply creative passes to the striker. This tactical shift could be crucial in unlocking Gyokeres’ full potential.

While Gyokeres’ start at Arsenal has been slower than some had hoped, there are clear indicators of progress. Both the coaching staff and former players believe that, given time, the Swedish international will find his stride. For now, patience remains key as he continues to settle into life in North London.