Is This 'Big Six' Star Getting Away With Being the Premier League's Biggest Flop?

The Big Swede

When you think of the biggest flops so far this season in the Premier League, Liverpool's Aleksander Isak and Florian Wirtz probably come to mind. The pair have failed to replicate last season's dominance and the critics have therefore been out for them. Deservedly so, as they have not been up to scratch so far and Liverpool spent a hefty amount on the two of them. With a huge price tag comes huge expectations.

But one certain Arsenal striker has managed to fly under the radar for his sub-par performances this season, perhaps due to the fact his summer signing counterparts have played just as badly. Viktor Gyökeres had everyone jealous of how The Gunners managed to sign the Swedish striker. However, Arsenal's number 14 has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League, and is swaying towards being one of, if not, the biggest flops so far this season.

Viktor Gyokeres vs Wolves

Flop😭😭 pic.twitter.com/cCZ5IdzhSF

— Isak (@alex_isak1) December 13, 2025

€65.80 Million Later

Now, in today's market, €65.80 Million isn't world-record breaking. It is still a lot of money for most clubs. Even the richest clubs in the world expect a bit of magic for that price tag. Arsenal paid for goals and haven't received what they asked for. It's like buying a pint in the pub; if you pay for a pint, you don't expect a beer in a shot glass.

Six goals in 18 games isn't a terrible record, but Arsenal's last few seasons proved they need someone who can put the ball in the back of the net. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been serviceable strikers, but Gyökeres was bought for a reason. His only Premier League goals were two against Leeds, one against Forest and one against Burnley. These weren't only games Arsenal were expected to win, but ones where goals were expected.

This doesn't mean it matters who he scores against but it's the games against the likes of City where Gyökeres needs to step up. In his defence, he has been injured for the good part of a fortnight, yet though injuries aren't always an excuse.

He's Been Here Before

Now, Arsenal fans might defend their new signing with "he's never played in the Premier League before," but he has played in England. Gyökeres put in a decent return playing for Coventry in the Championship which is arguably one of the most difficult leagues in world football. In 110 Championship games for Coventry, he managed to score 41 goals. That is a fairly decent return for a then-young striker in a tough league.

You would think that would be enough experience to go and do it in the Premier League, but that isn't the case for Gyökeres. Sorry Arsenal fans, just because it was raining isn't an excuse this time.

Say all you want but bottom line is, we are not playing to Viktor Gyokeres's strengths, you know who to blame if he flops pic.twitter.com/cVGLYD79yV

— Triple M (@Tripple____M) December 15, 2025

Who Do We Blame?

There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Gyökeres is a brilliant striker. He showed all his goalscoring prowess in the last few seasons for Sporting Lisbon, scoring a whopping 97 goals in 102 games. That record alone is ridiculous. Could it be Mikel Arteta that doesn't know how to utilise him properly?

Arteta recently came out and backed the striker saying, "the goals will come, and we're going to be very pleased with him". It is a big question though regarding when? Arteta's system for Arsenal has been built without using a striker as a traditional goalscorer, but someone who brings others into play. Most of their goals usually come from out wide or the midfield. Merino has also done an excellent job putting goals away whether that is from midfield or up top.

Havertz and sometimes Merino have been serviceable and have helped them reach second in the Premier League and the latter stages of the Champions League. They do sit in first currently but without a talisman banging in the goals, a certain Manchester City could catch them - and not for the first time.

If Arteta wants to get the most out of the Swede, he must revamp his tactics. He was so effective at Lisbon when running in behind and playing on the last defender. His pace, power and strength make him impossible to mark when playing on the defenders' toes. He was the focal point at the Portuguese side however at Arsenal, he is a mere piece to their attack. You can see Arteta's slow build-up frustrating Gyökeres who is practically begging for a ball in behind. He is an absolute monster in the transition when the ball has been won back yet it is rare to see Arsenal not having most of the ball.

It is a tough environment to play for Gyökeres when the system is completely against his style of play. However for Arteta's case, if he is top of the league then there is no point changing a working system. We will see how well that pays off with whoever is lifting the Premier League trophy by the end of the season.