Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal’s £63.5 million signing from Sporting Lisbon, made an underwhelming Premier League debut in their hard-fought 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Gyökeres failed to record a single shot on target throughout the match, raising concerns among Arsenal fans about his ability to contribute meaningfully to the team’s push for the Premier League title. Despite his efforts to breach United’s defense, the striker found few opportunities to showcase his skills and missed the chances that came his way. His impressive pre-season display, particularly in Arsenal’s win over Athletic Bilbao, was starkly contrasted by his muted performance at Old Trafford.
Detailed match statistics highlighted Gyökeres’ struggles: the 27-year-old managed only three successful plays while failing in 10 attempts to control the ball. His passing was similarly lackluster, completing just four passes to teammates while losing possession five times. These metrics have intensified concerns about how well Gyökeres fits into Arsenal’s playing style.
Gyökeres wasn’t the only Arsenal newcomer who faced difficulties. Martin Zubimendi, who joined from Real Sociedad, similarly struggled with the Premier League’s fast-paced gameplay. His challenges began early in the match when Bryan Mbuemo’s aggressive tactics overwhelmed him. Seeking a free kick, Zubimendi was denied by referee Simon Hooper, further complicating his debut.
Despite these struggles, Arsenal maintained their strength in set-piece situations, continuing to be one of the league’s most efficient teams in capitalizing on dead-ball opportunities. Since the 2023/24 season began, they’ve scored 31 goals from set-pieces (corners), topping the league in this category. The winning goal at Old Trafford was scored by Riccardo Calafiori, showcasing Arsenal’s dominance in this area.
Viktor Gyökeres was among the players who underperformed during Arsenal’s challenging match against Manchester United.