Everybody is defending Gyokeres, even Jesus

There was hardy a fan in June 2025 which complained when Arsenal finally signed a proper striker Viktor Gyokeres. He was is terrific form in 2024/25 season with Sporting, he scored almost at will and he was a proper striker, something the Gunners badly needed for years. So when the Swede signed for 63.5 million euros with a further 10 million possible in potential add-ons, everybody was over the moon. Yes, there were grumblings that the Portuguese and English league are not the same, that the pressure at the Emirates is much bigger and that Gyokeres already played on the island (Coventry) and didn‘t convince any Premier League to take him. But those voices were regarded as too negative. Come January and Viktor problem is obvious. Only eight goals in 26 games is too little, considering his price tag and his knowledge of the English football,

But considering that the biggest problem with any striker is his self-confidence, nobody is daring to criticize him. On the contrary, everybody is defending him, and accouraging him in order to get him scoring. Even his direct opponent in the striker‘s department.

“Vik is an amazing guy. We have a good relationship. We are the same age, and I have played here in the Premier League longer than him. Sometimes I give my opinion, and sometimes he gives his about goals because he knows. He’s a top striker, he scored a lot of goals in his previous club and I’m sure that he’s going to find a way to do the same for us because that would be good for us. I have been in the position that Vik is now and it’s not easy. But I’m sure that everyone here, not only the coach and staff, the players as well, are going to support him and give him the belief that he’s here to help us.He has already helped us a lot. Every game, he has helped with something even when sometimes he does not score. He helps with another movement or fighting. Anything to win the game. In a club like Arsenal, there is no guaranteeing a spot to anyone” said Gabriel Jesus.

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The Brazilian is finally back after 11 months absence but his injury record was one of the reasons for bringing Gyokeres in the first place. Kai Havertz, although not a classic number 9 nearly fully fit so the pressure on the Swedish striker is even bigger. But he has support from Decklan Rice too.

“It’s tough for Gyokeres, because he’s got two defenders on him all game, all over him. So he has to use his strength and do all he can to help the team. I see how hard he hits a ball, and when that space arrives for him, and the ball’s arriving at his feet to score goals, he will 100 per cent score. But at the moment, defenders in the Premier League want to be able to stop Viktor Gyokeres, because he’s one of the best strikers in the world. Trust me, he’s doing unbelievably for us, and we wouldn’t be where we are without him” he said after a 3-2 win over Bournemouth.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 7

Tuesday

18.30: (6.75) Kairat Almaty (4.40) Club Brugge (1.53)

20.45: (6.50) Bodo (5.60) Man.City (1.40)

23.00: (4.00) Copenhagen (3.65) Napoli (1.95)

23.00: (2.70) Inter (3.25) Arsenal (2.90)

23.00: (1.32) Real Madrid (6.25) Monaco (9.00)

23.00: (4.30) Sporting (4.10) PSG (1.80)

23.00: (2.95) Tottenham (3.50) Dortmund (2.50)

23.00: (1.40) Villareal (5.40) Ajax (7.50)

Wednesday

20.45: (3.50) Galatasaray (3.50) Atl.Madrid (2.05)

20.45: (3.15) Qarabag (3.50) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.20)

23.00: (1.90) Atalanta (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (4.20)

23.00: (1.12) Bayern (12.0) St.Gilloise (19.0)

23.00: (1.15) Chelsea (9.50) Paphos (19.0)

23.00: (1.82) Juventus (3.50) Benfica (4.50)

23.00: (1.48) Newcastle (4.40) PSV (6.75)

23.00: (3.90) Olympique Marseille (3.50) Liverpool (1.95)

23.00: (8.00) Slavia Praha (5.75) Barcelona (1.33)

***odds are subject to change***