In a stunning twist that’s set the football world abuzz, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dropped a bombshell by labeling Viktor Gyokeres as “very consistent” – a claim that’s raised eyebrows across the Premier League. The Swedish striker, who joined the Gunners in a high-profile £64million move last summer, has faced intense scrutiny for his up-and-down form. But following a standout performance in midweek against Chelsea, Gyokeres is now poised to elevate his game and silence the doubters as Arsenal prepare to face Nottingham Forest.
The fallout from Arsenal’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg has been dominated by Gyokeres’ heroics. The 27-year-old netted a crucial goal and provided an assist, earning chants from the traveling Arsenal fans and injecting fresh belief into his north London tenure. Yet, it was Arteta’s pre-match press conference ahead of the Forest clash that truly ignited the debate. When asked about Gyokeres’ consistency, Arteta didn’t mince words: “He’s been very consistent.” For many observers, this assessment flies in the face of reality, given the striker’s patchy start to life at the Emirates.
Signed amid much fanfare from Sporting CP, Gyokeres was expected to hit the ground running as Arsenal’s new focal point up front. Instead, his early months have been marked by frustration. With just eight goals in all competitions this season, he’s endured barren spells, including a nine-game drought between September and October that only ended with a brace in a 4-0 Champions League rout of Atletico Madrid. Critics have pointed to his limited touches in games and questioned his hold-up play at the elite level, wondering if he’s truly equipped to lead the line for a team sitting atop the Premier League, six points clear of Manchester City.
But against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Gyokeres flipped the script. His all-action display – combining clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and tireless work rate – not only helped secure a slender advantage heading into the second leg but also reignited the faith of Arsenal supporters. The Gunners faithful serenaded him throughout the match, a clear sign of their eagerness to see him succeed. With Kai Havertz returning from injury and Gabriel Jesus making impactful cameos off the bench, the competition for places is fierce. Yet, Gyokeres is set to retain his starting spot for Saturday’s evening kick-off at the City Ground, where Arsenal aim to extend their league lead.
Arteta’s surprise endorsement of Gyokeres’ consistency came in response to questions about whether the striker has doubted himself amid the criticism. “I haven’t seen that,” Arteta insisted. “Obviously he’s a very demanding person. He knows the level that we need. He really wants to fulfil everything that we expect of him. He’s been really trying, he’s been very consistent, and I thought that against Chelsea he had a great game and scored the goal that helped us to win the game.”
The Spaniard went further, acknowledging the relentless pressure that comes with being a top club’s No.9. “Well, for the rest of his career,” Arteta quipped when reminded of the scrutiny Gyokeres faces. He emphasized that such expectations aren’t unique to the Swede: “If you know what he’s done in the last few years, you just set the standards that everybody expects you to maintain. Scrutiny is part of the expectations – not only for Viktor, but every No9 in the league, in every top club.”
Gyokeres, for his part, would have been well aware of this before making the switch to Arsenal. His prolific form in Portugal – where he bagged 43 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting last season – set a sky-high bar. Now, six months into his Premier League adventure, the challenge is to replicate that ruthlessness consistently. The Chelsea outing provided a glimpse of what’s possible, and with Nottingham Forest next on the agenda, Gyokeres has the perfect opportunity to build momentum.
As Arsenal chase silverware on multiple fronts, vindicating the club’s decision to choose Gyokeres over other summer targets could be pivotal. If he can channel the Stamford Bridge magic more regularly – finding that “new Arsenal level” Arteta alluded to – the Gunners’ attack could become unstoppable. For now, all eyes are on the City Ground, where Gyokeres aims to drop his own bombshell: a performance that proves his manager’s bold claim right.