Cometh the hour, and cometh the man!: Viktor Gyökeres reaches 20-goal milestone in his debut Arsenal season

Viktor Gyokeres will silence all of his critics if he performs well in the final few games of the season. (Image credits - DeadlineDayLive)

Last season after Arsenal finished runners-up in the Premier League for the second consecutive season, the critics said that the Gunners desperately needed a striker who could bag 20 goals in a season to rescue them from the mess. Now they have finally got their hands on Viktor Gyökeres, who joined the club this season from Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners signed him in a deal worth about £64m last summer after he scored 97 goals in 102 games for Portuguese side Sporting.

The Swede has now bagged 21 goals across all competitions this season after bagging a sensational brace in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Fulham, which took them six points clear of Manchester City in the table, who have two games in hand. Gyokeres’ brace also added a valuable goal difference to the team's tally as Mikel Arteta's side is now 4 ahead of Man City. If both teams finish on level points at the end of the season, the team with the higher goal difference will lift the Premier League. 

Gyokeres had been criticised a lot because of his mixed performances earlier this season. However, the 27-year-old has bagged the crucial penalty against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals and a huge brace in the context of a tight Premier League race between the Gunners and the Citizens. The Swede’s form has picked up right when the team needed him the most, and if he continues his stellar goalscoring form, the club might clinch their first Premier League title in two decades and a historic first Champions League title. The last time the Gunners reached the Champions League finals back in 2006, they were beaten by FC Barcelona.

Gyokeres has been criticised mostly for not offering enough in hold-up play and helping the team during build-up. However, if the Swedish striker can deliver performances like these in the next few games, no critics would remember his flaws, and all the fans would bask in his glory while he would become a hero for the club forever. As the 27-year-old opened the scoring in the 9th minute on Saturday, he became the first Arsenal player to score 20 or more goals in their debut season at the club since Alexis Sánchez back in the 2014-15 season, who had netted 25 goals that season.

"He had a great performance," said manager Mikel Arteta following the game. (sic)

“I think in Madrid, especially the first half, he was really good, and today, all the minutes that he's played as well, his contribution with the goals. Every attacking action he was involved in scored two great goals. Position-wise, timing-wise as well – it's something that we've been working on.” (sic)

He added, "It's going to give him a big boost of energy and confidence to the team as well.” (sic)

Bukayo Saka regaining full fitness has impacted Gyokeres' performance as well. The Englishman made his first start since March after he hurt his Achilles. Saka netted the second goal of the night and also gave the assist for Gyokeres' first goal of the night. Arteta also acknowledged that he couldn't get the services of Saka and Gyokeres together for most of the season, but now there are clear signs that the duo can click even better in the future.

Is Viktor Gyökeres the striker Arsenal craved for all these years?

Viktor Gyökeres has bagged five goals in his last eight appearances for Arsenal, but his time in North London so far has been far from easy. The Swedish striker has been criticised quite often for his lack of all-round play and for not contributing enough during the buildup, which makes it quite predictable for defenders to understand his moves. Certain critics have argued that Kai Havertz, who has better hold-up play than the Swedish international, is a better fit for Mikel Arteta's style of football at Arsenal.

However, all these critics might change their opinions if Gyokeres proves all his doubters wrong in the remaining few games, which will be extremely crucial for the Gunners. Before Saturday, Arsenal had only picked up two points in the Premier League, but his career-best performance at the club so far helped the team reach six points clear at the top while also being four goals ahead of Manchester City in goal difference.

In simple terms, Gyokeres was signed to finish the chances the team creates. Last season, as per data, Arsenal missed a lot of sitters, and there was a clear lack of lethal finishing in the final third, which had cost them in the Champions League semifinals against Paris Saint-Germain and also in the Premier League. Now Viktor Gyökeres has filled that gap, and his ability to find space for other forwards is one of the biggest advantages of having him in the team. 

He is also the team's highest goalscorer this season and has bagged 14 goals in the Premier League. Even though at one point it felt he wouldn't reach this tally, the 27-year-old has peaked at the right time just when the club needs him to end their 22-year wait for a league title. Kai Havertz has also missed a large part of the season due to injuries due to which we haven't seen him and Gyokeres on the pitch often. However, next season, if both are fully fit, Mikel Arteta's frontline would be lethal.

"I have liked Gyokeres all season," said former England striker Wayne Rooney. (sic)

"I think he does so well for the team. He occupies defenders, and I think his goal tally has been good this season. This is when you need him now, during the run-in.” (sic)

He added, "This is what you need when you bring a number nine into the club. This is when you need them most.” (sic)

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson also praised Gyokeres. He said, "The best I have seen him play. He reminded me of Haaland.” (sic)

"I thought the players trusted him a lot more. I have given him a lot of sticks. If they win the league, he has been a brilliant buy. If they don't, maybe he hasn't.” (sic)

He added, "He was put in the team to make sure they beat the lesser teams, and he has done so. You want your striker to get 20 goals, and he has done that. He was really good today, and that is what they bought him for. Those performances haven't been there week in and week out, but if they are for the next four weeks – then money back.”