Gyokeres transfer attracts scrutiny at Arsenal

Arsenal sign Viktor Gyokeres for £64m but a former Brighton teammate questions whether the striker fits the club and can lead the line.

Gyokeres transfer raises doubts at Arsenal

Arsenal have paid £64m to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP after a prolific spell with the Portuguese club, where he scored a high number of goals in a short period. The move signals high expectations for the Sweden international as he joins a team looking to bolster its attacking options this season.

Glenn Murray, who trained with Gyokeres at Brighton from 2018 to 2021, says he has doubts about whether Gyokeres can be Arsenal's main striker. He told BBC Sport that the step up is huge and questions whether Gyokeres fits Arsenal's playing style. Murray notes Gyokeres has grown since leaving Brighton, but a four-year gap can change a player's profile and the charge of a big price tag adds pressure.

The deal underlines a wider trend among top clubs: betting on a proven scorer who still needs to prove it in a different league and system. Gyokeres arrives with strong numbers but the real test is how quickly he adapts to Arteta’s pace, pressing intensity, and tactical demands. Public opinion will tilt toward immediate results, yet a player’s development is rarely linear and the price tag can distort expectations.

This case also highlights the risk of relying on veteran assessments from former teammates. Murray’s doubts reveal a cautious approach to transfers that carry heavy financial and reputational stakes. Arsenal must balance patience with performance, using the new signing to drive a cohesive attacking unit rather than simply chase goals.

Highlights

Time will test how this deal fits into Arsenal's longer-term plans.