Viktor Gyokeres is quickly becoming one of the most dreaded strikers in the premier league and his manager even reveals that his opponents at Arsenal dread him so much that they even dread playing with him in training.
Ahead of the match against Chelsea on March 1, Mikel Arteta has sung the praises of the Swedish international and said that Gyokeres is an incredible striker and he has taught him a lesson through sessions in training that speaks volumes about the quality of the 27-year-old.
Arteta’s Words Say It All
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta was not afraid to speak on the topic of the recent performances of Gyokeres.
“We know his qualities. He is definitely an unbelievable striker.
We need to feed his qualities. We should learn more about him, know the team and the league better and I believe we are heading in the correct direction.
Those are words that are representative of a manager who feels actual momentum that is building around his striker.
Arteta also exposed another indicative habit in the training ground of Arsenal.
He always questions his defenders on how it is to play with Gyokeres during sessions. The answer, he explains, always is the same.
“It’s a nightmare.”
Arteta reckons that such consistency in training was a telling indication of what Gyokeres can do when he is fully fired up.
The Stats Back Up the Praise
This season, Gyokeres has already scored 10 goals in the Premier League and therefore he is one of the most prolific attackers in the Arsenal in the 2025-26 campaign.
His shape has come to a sharp since January. In 2026 alone, he is already among the highest scorers in the Premier League.
North London Derby Was His Finest Hour.
The tipping point that many would use is the North London Derby on February 22, 2026.
Gyokeres was twice a goal scorer as Arsenal demolished Tottenham Hotspur 4-1. The outcome assisted Arsenal to recover a five-point lead over Manchester City at the head of the premier league table.
Arteta was in awe of the game afterwards.
“He was outstanding today. There have been spurts of it every week but to-day I believed him to be wonderful… I believe that the greatest among the two goals was achieved by his overall performance, which was incredible.
Such confidence of the managers can be transformative to any striker. It seems like that is what is happening to Gyokeres.
Sporting CP to Premier league force.
Gyokeres transferred to Arsenal in the summer of 2025; the club had bought him out of Sporting Lisbon. He came into the country with huge expectations following a record run in Portugal.
The early weeks were not easy. It takes time to fit into the speed and physicality of the English football. The first readjustment process was under scrutiny by both the pundits and fans.
But Arteta always backed him. And now that religion is bearing fruit.
The manager described the move in a straightforward manner. Confidence is created through scoring goals. Better performances come as a result of confidence.
Improved performances result in a greater appreciation of their teammates, rivals, and the league itself. It is a vicious circle after all– and now Gyokeres is in it.
The Implication of this on the Title Chase of Arsenal.
Arsenal are leaders of the Premier League. The title race is tight. Manchester City are in contention. Every game matters.
It is a big plus to have striker in such a state during this season.
Gyokeres provides Arsenal with some physical presence, a physical threat in a penalty box, and a central focus to their attack that did not exist before.
The other aspect of his game, his capacity to transform a match as an impact sub, was demonstrated when he came on the bench on February 7 and turned the game against Sunderland.
The fact that versatility makes him more useful to the system of Arteta.
Next Test: Chelsea Is the Next Big Test.
The match against the Chelsea on 1 March is another possible historical event in the season of the Arsenal.
Gyokeres is the one who will be expected to lead the line. Arsenal head that game with true momentum after the whole squad got high confidence and the squad was behind him.
Arteta has expressly stated his opinion. He believes Gyokeres to be one of his assets that are coming into force at the right time. Provided that his shape persists, the title objectives of Arsenal are a reality.
