Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League Win Overshadowed by Viktor Gyökeres Struggles
Arsenal may have secured a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League, but instead of celebration, the performance raised serious concerns. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka ensured three vital points, yet the glaring lack of cutting edge in front of goal left fans and pundits frustrated. The spotlight, once again, fell heavily on record signing Viktor Gyökeres.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand delivered a brutal assessment after the match. Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand labelled Gyökeres “overrated” following a nightmare display. The Swedish striker managed fewer touches than goalkeeper David Raya and wasted several golden chances. Ferdinand went as far as to warn Mikel Arteta against starting Gyökeres in Arsenal’s upcoming Premier League clash with West Ham, saying: “If he starts, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.”
Signed for £63 million as the striker to finally solve Arsenal’s long-standing finishing issues, Gyökeres has yet to live up to the hype. Against Olympiacos, his missed opportunities told the story: a free header sent wide, a one-on-one dragged past the post, and even an open goal blasted over the bar. According to Opta, he recorded just 18 touches all game – 11 fewer than Raya – and failed to register a single shot on target. For a player billed as Arsenal’s answer to Erling Haaland, it was a performance that left supporters furious.
Despite the criticism, Mikel Arteta defended his new signing, urging patience: “Viktor is adapting to a new league, new teammates, and a new system. We believe in him, and he will deliver with time.” Still, reports suggest the Arsenal boss may rotate his attack against West Ham, potentially deploying Kai Havertz or even shifting Bukayo Saka centrally. With the Gunners’ poor record at the London Stadium and West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen in fine form, Arteta’s selection could prove decisive.
Reaction on social media was swift. The hashtag #DropGyokeres trended overnight, with frustrated fans posting memes and dubbing him the “Tap-In Terror.” Some supporters, however, called for calm, reminding critics of his 38-goal season in Portugal last year as evidence of his ability. But pundits were less forgiving. Jamie Carragher described the move as “a £63 million gamble gone wrong”, while Gary Neville warned that Arsenal cannot afford mistakes against a strong West Ham side.
Gyökeres’ struggles highlight the fine margins Arsenal face this season. The Gunners remain unbeaten in the Premier League and top of the table, but wasteful finishing threatens to undermine their title push. Rio Ferdinand’s harsh comments have only added pressure, leaving all eyes on Arteta ahead of the weekend. Will he keep faith in his big-money striker, or bow to growing calls for change?