Viktor Gyökeres joins Arsenal as one of the star signings of the summer. The English club secured the striker for €65 million plus €25 million in bonuses, acquiring one of the top goal scorers in world football.
Who is Viktor Gyökeres?
Gyökeres is a Swedish striker, born on June 4, 1998, in Stockholm. His current market value is estimated at around €75 million.
He began his football journey at a young age, playing for IFK AT (2010–2014) and IF Brommapojkarna (2014–2015). His breakthrough came when he joined Brighton during the 2017–2018 winter transfer window for €1 million.
After struggling to break into the first team at Brighton, he went out on loan to FC St. Pauli, Swansea City, and eventually Coventry City—the club where he truly made his mark. He later signed permanently for €1.2 million.
Following his breakout with Coventry, Sporting Clube de Portugal signed him in 2023 for €21 million, making him the most expensive signing in Portuguese league history at the time. At the Portuguese club, he cemented himself among the world’s elite strikers, scoring 87 goals and providing 25 assists in 95 official matches. His performances led Arsenal to make his signing a priority in their bid to reach the top of European football.
Let’s take a look at his playing style and how he fits in with the London club.
A More Than Complete Forward
Gyökeres is among the most complete attackers in world football. His statistics stand out when compared to other top forwards in major leagues. He excels in dribbling, expected goals, assists, and goal conversion, combining explosiveness with impressive versatility.
His standout quality is his goal scoring, averaging an incredible 1.14 goals per game. He also ranks among the top forwards in major leagues for touches inside the box (0.94 per game) and is second in dribbles per 100 touches (39.43).
He’s involved in many aspects of play—and what he does, he does with precision and purpose. His determination and perseverance make the difference; he’s a striker who works hard and often delivers.
His level of performance sets him apart as the top forward in the Portuguese league. With a rating of 98 out of 100, he’s close to the complete striker — capable of thriving in nearly any game scenario.
Is He as Active as He Seems?
Yes, he’s highly active on the pitch. While his height (1.89 meters) and weight (94 kg) might suggest a traditional target man, Gyökeres combines physical presence with impressive agility, allowing him to move fluidly and reach top speeds.
His heatmap highlights his versatility in the attacking third, showing consistent involvement both inside the box and in the surrounding areas.
Gyökeres has played exclusively as a center forward for Sporting, consistently leading the line. A natural striker like him is exactly what Arsenal lacked last season.
What Makes Him Different?
In the Primeira Liga, he has been the player with the most goals scored (39) and the one who has taken the most shots (139). 36 of his total goals have come from inside the box, demonstrating what a formidable penalty-box striker he is. Furthermore, 12 of those 39 goals have come from the penalty spot, with a 100% success rate—an excellent asset for an Arsenal side that used eight different penalty takers last season, with an average conversion rate of 41%.
He also contributes to team moves, either by delivering the final pass or creating dangerous opportunities. His mobility allows him to consistently arrive in key areas at the right moment. He’s created 60 chances and registered six assists — impressive numbers for a striker of his caliber.
Powerful and Vertical
Despite his imposing size, Gyökeres moves with surprising ease — his speed, agility, and ball-carrying ability are all outstanding. In the Portuguese league, the Swedish striker recorded 128 progressive carries, often bursting in from wide areas to drive vertically through the heart of the defense and create danger.
Additionally, while he’s not deeply involved in build-up play, he’s highly effective when receiving long balls — bringing them down, winning duels, and dribbling with control.
Transfer and Contract Figures
Viktor Gyökeres has become Arsenal’s newest signing for €65 million, which with bonuses could rise to €85 million. He has signed with the London club until 2030, with a salary close to €7 million per season—more than double what he earned at the Portuguese club.
Although his contract ran until 2028, Gyökeres was determined to leave during the summer transfer window. However, Sporting’s sporting director was unwilling to let him go without a substantial offer, leading to repeated disputes.
Does He Improve Havertz?
Characterized as a false nine, Kai Havertz was Arsenal’s trusted striker until his injury. The German was key to dragging opponents out of position, but he wasn’t the true number nine Arsenal badly needed. Gyökeres is the missing piece in Arteta’s system, improving on Havertz in every offensive area. The Swede has the ideal traits to fill the center-forward role.
The “9” That Arsenal Need
What Arsenal lacked most was a striker who could hold up the ball, turn with intent, and finish reliably—and that’s exactly what Viktor Gyökeres brings. With his pace, intelligence, and sharp goal-scoring instincts, he can thrive in any scenario, whether in quick transitions or patient build-up. He’s not just filling a gap—he’s raising the level of Arsenal’s attack.