Gyokeres debut under scrutiny in Arsenal win at Old Trafford

Viktor Gyokeres struggled in his Arsenal league debut against Manchester United, drawing blunt critique from pundits.

Gyokeres criticised after Arsenal debut by Pardew

Arsenal beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford with Riccardo Calafiori scoring the winner. Viktor Gyokeres started up front for Arsenal but failed to register a shot in 60 minutes and completed only four passes before being replaced by Kai Havertz. The deal to sign Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon at £63.7 million is still fresh and the striker did not have a full pre-season, having missed significant time before joining the Gunners.

Pundit Alan Pardew publicly questioned the performance, calling it poor and noting Gyokeres looked rusty after a disrupted build-up. Pardew suggested the move was a gamble given the late arrival and partial pre-season, and he doubted whether the forward could deliver immediately even with the big price tag.

The debut adds to a broader pattern where big signings face intense scrutiny from day one. Arsenal must balance the pressure to justify the transfer with the reality that integration takes time, especially after a disrupted pre-season run. Pardew’s sharp critique feeds a media narrative that can shape expectations around Gyokeres’ first weeks in London. The club’s challenge is clear: convert potential into consistent contributions while managing fan and media nerves. If Gyokeres can recover his fitness and form, the risk is worth it; if not, the transfer may spark ongoing debate about spending and strategy.

Highlights

Time will tell if the plan behind the price tag works for Arsenal