"Viktor Gyökeres was billed as the elite striker who would finally end Arsenal's 22-year wait for a Premier League title. The €63 million summer signing from Sporting CP arrived after scoring a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games across two prolific seasons in Portugal, and the Gunners finally had their "win now" acquisition that was heralded as the final missing piece of the puzzle."
"Before Gyökeres had even kicked a ball in the club's preseason tour of Asia, fans in Singapore and Hong Kong queued up to pose with hands interlocked across their faces in his signature celebration. And manager Mikel Arteta willingly played along, speaking of a player walking into his dressing room with the aura and presence associated with the very best."
"But fast forward to the week before Christmas and Gyökeres faces accusations that the mask has slipped; that the robust defenses of English football's top flight have found him out. Arsenal still sit two points clear at the top of the table and are the bookmakers' favorites to win the league, but Gyökeres has not played the central role he was signed for."
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyökeres for €63 million after he scored 97 goals in 102 games across two seasons in Portugal, positioning him as the decisive 'win now' striker. Fans in Singapore and Hong Kong adopted his signature celebration during the preseason tour, and manager Mikel Arteta praised his aura and presence. By the week before Christmas, questions arose as Gyökeres struggled against robust Premier League defenses and did not assume the central goalscoring role expected. Arsenal remain two points clear at the top and are bookmakers' favorites, having earlier explored Benjamin Sesko and attempted to sign Ollie Watkins.
Read at ESPN.com
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