Viktor Gyokeres slammed the ball into the net in the ninth minute at Emirates Stadium, and with that strike, the weight of expectation began to lift. It was his 20th goal of the season across all competitions—making him the first Arsenal player to reach that milestone in their debut campaign since Alexis Sánchez in 2014-15—and it signaled more than just personal redemption. It felt like the moment a much-debated signing finally silenced his loudest critics. For months, questions swirled around whether the Swedish striker could adapt to the tempo and tactical demands of the Premier League, especially Arsenal’s possession-heavy system. But against Fulham, Gyokeres didn’t just score; he delivered a complete performance, adding an assist and dominating the first half so thoroughly that he became the first player this season to both score and assist before halftime in a league match.
His manager, Mikel Arteta, praised his timing, movement, and relentless contribution: “Every attacking action he was involved in—he scored two great goals. Position-wise, timing-wise as well—it’s something that we’ve been working on.” That kind of validation matters, but so do the numbers. Gyokeres has now scored five goals in his last eight appearances, pushing his league tally to 14—the joint-highest by any Premier League winner’s top scorer since 2005. More importantly, Arsenal have lost just three games with him in the starting lineup all season, a testament to his impact on the team’s stability.
What makes this turnaround remarkable is the context. Early in the season, only two of his Premier League goals had contributed to points in Arsenal’s title race. Now, that number stands at five. He’s also scored against two top-10 sides, including this Fulham match, and his goal-per-minute ratio ranks fifth in the league—proof that when he gets chances, he converts. Former Arsenal player Paul Merson, once skeptical, admitted on Sky Sports: “The best I have seen him play. He reminded me of a Haaland.” Even Wayne Rooney, on BBC’s Match of the Day, highlighted his off-the-ball work: “He occupies defenders and I think his goal tally has been good this season. This is when you need him now, during the run-in.”
With Kai Havertz sidelined by injury, Gyokeres has shouldered the burden of leading the line, starting most crucial fixtures—a role he’s embraced with growing confidence. His powerful runs behind defenses have created space for teammates like Bukayo Saka, who returned from injury to assist Gyokeres’ opener, their first direct link-up in the Premier League. As the title race enters its final stretch, Arsenal’s hopes are increasingly tied to the man once doubted. If they lift the trophy in May, few will question the signing again.
The numbers tell the story, but the belief is now palpable. Gyokeres isn’t just scoring—he’s becoming the focal point of a team chasing history.