At a Glance:
- Jamie Carragher made a prediction about Viktor Gyokeres before he joined Arsenal.
- Carragher has been proven right.
- Bad look for Gyokeres.
Viktor Gyokeres has had a difficult debut season at Arsenal. That was summed up against Newcastle United when he failed to put Bukayo Saka clean through on goal late into the game with a relatively straightforward pass.
Gyokeres struggled against Newcastle once again as it looks like Mikel Arteta no longer trusts the Swede as his starting striker, benching the 27-year-old in the last two games.
Kai Havertz’s injury not being worrying means the former Sporting CP goalscorer is likely to warm the bench in Arsenal’s subsequent games.
One man who predicted such a turn of events was none other than Jamie Carragher, even before Gyokeres’ arrival.
Jamie Carragher knew Viktor Gyokeres would be benched at Arsenal
During an episode of Sky Sports’ show, Scenes, Carragher claimed that whichever striker Arsenal would sign would eventually lose his place in the XI to Havertz, saying: “We all know Arsenal want to sign a striker, don’t we? The striker is the answer to all their problems. I don’t think that striker will be the answer to all their problems.”
“And I think whoever that striker is, eventually in the season will end up being on the bench and Havertz will end up playing instead of him.”
It’s safe to say that Jamie Carragher has been proven right, which reflects poorly on Gyokeres, who has disappointed at Arsenal despite being regarded as an elite goalscorer at Sporting.
While Havertz, can play up front, his natural position lies behind the striker, as was the case at Bayer Leverkusen and yet, the German has managed to displace the two-time Primeira Liga winner.
The Portuguese media noted Gyokeres’ struggles against Sporting as well.
| Viktor Gyokeres: 2025/2026 Premier League stats | |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 0 |
With just 12 Premier League goals to his name in 32 appearances, the centre-forward has been a huge letdown, If Arsenal end up winning the title, Havertz could be the starting number nine to lead them to glory.
Troy Deeney claims Arsenal never wanted to sign Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal regret not signing Matheus Cunha, as certain figures at the Emirates Stadium believe that the title race would have been wrapped up in their favour had the Gunners sealed the Brazilian’s acqusition.
What is even more damning is that pundits like Troy Deeney doubt Arsenal wanted Gyokeres in the first place.
Deeney said on the Filthy Fellas podcast: “Called that! Don’t you remember earlier in the season I called that?”
“You brought this guy in that you didn’t actually want. Remember I told you that. You know when you want a player, you don’t sign him seven, you sign him first. Remember that. Why would you get a backup goalie before him? Why did you get [Martin] Zubimendi before him?”
Gyokeres will be hoping to redeem himself in Arsenal’s upcoming games but it is starting to increasingly look like the 2025/2026 campaign could be one to forget for him.
