The Tactical Journal

Arsenal’s long-awaited unveiling of Viktor Gyökeres in the Premier League didn’t go as planned, with his debut against Manchester United turning into one to forget. Signed for a hefty £63.5 million, expectations were sky-high, but the Swedish striker failed to make any real impact. Across 60 minutes on the pitch, he didn’t manage a single shot, completed only a handful of passes, and touched the ball just 22 times—three of those inside the opposition box. Struggling to win duels and repeatedly losing possession, Gyökeres looked isolated and blunt at the top of Arsenal’s attack. Critics didn’t hold back, with Alan Pardew branding his performance “poor”, while Lee Dixon described it as “vanilla.” Even Alan Shearer admitted the forward has the physical tools but needs time to adapt. Still, not all the blame fell on Gyökeres himself. Mikel Arteta defended his striker, pointing out that Arsenal’s midfield was too slow and wasteful, leaving him starved of service. Fans on social media echoed the sentiment, frustrated not only with Gyökeres but with the team’s overall lack of attacking threat.

While the performance left supporters disappointed, it’s important to remember that debuts don’t always define a player’s future. Gyökeres showed glimpses of what he can bring with his pressing and physical presence, even if the finishing touches were missing. The real test will come in Arsenal’s next match against Leeds at the Emirates, where the Swede will hope for sharper service and a more cohesive attack. For now, his debut will be remembered as an underwhelming start—proof that big-money signings often need time to adjust. The question is, will Gyökeres bounce back quickly, or will this forgettable debut linger in the minds of Arsenal fans longer than he’d like?