Arsenal thought they had found their new offensive anchor by betting 63.5 million euros on Viktor Gyökeres, but the Swede’s first weeks in London raised many more questions than certainties. His arrival should be a strong signal, a way of accelerating the Gunners’ cycle of ambition. However, even before he found his place, one concern arose: his state of form. Between a truncated start to the pre-season and sluggish appearances, the general impression has become difficult to ignore.
Gyökeres deemed “too heavy” for English rhythm
This is the blunt opinion of Stefan Schwarz, ex-Arsenal player: Gyökeres would simply not “not ready yet” for the Premier League. The Swede believes that the scorer has arrived “lacking rhythm”, with a physique to adjust to face the intensity of a championship where each duel is played at full strength. The situation worsened from his first goal in the London jersey, against Burnley: a muscular discomfort forced him to leave the pitch at the break, leaving Arteta concerned about the state of a striker known to be explosive, but behind in athletic terms.
For Schwarz, the evil is deeper than a simple deficit in condition. The change of system, the pressure of a big club, the global expectations around the transfer: all this added a significant mental load. The technician recalls that psychological adaptation is an integral part of the process, especially for a player who is really discovering the high level of England after having shone at Coventry then at Sporting.
Gyökeres, however, remains a profile cut out for Arsenal: powerful, mobile, complete. But according to Schwarz he must “raise your fitness level” to hope to fit into Arteta’s rotation, rich in options and demanding in terms of intensity.
“Become lighter”: direct, but assumed advice
Schwarz’s observation is clear: to succeed, Gyökeres must shed a few kilos. “It’s a little heavy,” he slips, before emphasizing the importance of a sharp body to withstand the pace. Not a gratuitous attack, but a diagnosis already shared on the networks, where his physique during his first matches fueled the debate.
Recalling that a player like Bergkamp had built his magic on automatisms, Schwarz insists: the alchemy with the Arsenal midfielders will come with the matches, the repetition… and a renewed vivacity.
It remains to be seen whether Gyökeres will be back for the clash against Tottenham on November 23. A major test, both for his health and for his emerging status within the group. Arteta, already faced with several uncertain returns (Havertz, Ødegaard, Madueke), hopes to be able to count on him. Because beyond the transfer and expectations, it is in this type of meeting that the integration of a recruit supposed to change the offensive face of Arsenal is played out.
