Opinion: Why Gooners Shouldn’t Judge Gyökeres After His Spurs Debut

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·3 August 2025

Opinion: Why Gooners Shouldn’t Judge Gyökeres After His Spurs Debut

For some, first impressions are everything, but Viktor Gyökeres insists it is unfair to judge him based on his 14-minute cameo in Arsenal’s 1-0 North London derby defeat to Spurs in Hong Kong.

While some supporters expected fireworks from the Swede in his pre-season debut, that was not the case. He looked rusty, and the stats reflected that.

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Gyökeres vs Spurs

14 minutes played
0 goals
0 assists
0 total shots
2 touches
1 touch in the opposition box
1 chance created
100 percent pass accuracy (1/1)

Safe to say, he was not the game-changing signing fans had hoped to see, yet.

Gyökeres: “I’ve only done one training session”

Asked what instructions he received from Mikel Arteta before entering the pitch, the Swede explained his muted display. As quoted in an interview via YouTube:“Yeah, just try to use my qualities as much as I can. But then, as you said, I haven’t been here too long. I’ve only done one training session. So yeah, I think I have to do a few more to come into it even more.”

It is clear Gyökeres was not match-ready and had not yet adapted to Arsenal’s tactical setup. Perhaps the anticipation around his signing pushed Arteta to give him an early runout, despite limited preparation.

(Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Time and training will bring the best out of him

With Arteta’s tactical demands, details matter. Over the coming days and weeks, he and Gyökeres will be working closely to unlock the striker’s full potential and find the best role for him in the system. Extra training sessions should help the former Sporting CP striker integrate both tactically and socially.

Gyökeres did not have a dream debut against Spurs, but there is no reason to panic. Give it time, and he will come good in red and white – he has literally been a Gunners for one week..

Hopefully, by the time the league opener at Old Trafford arrives, on 17th August, he will be ready to show Manchester United what they missed out on.

Thoughts Gooners? It’s a bit early days to be judging huh?

Daniel O

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