After weeks of speculation and negotiations, Arsenal finally completed the signing of Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish striker arrived from Sporting CP in a £64 million deal, with hopes of becoming the goal scorer Mikel Arteta’s side has long been searching for. However, not everyone is convinced he’s the ideal fit for the Gunners.

Why Are Former Players Questioning Gyökeres?

During a debate on The Overlap Fan Debate, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes openly questioned whether Gyökeres was truly the striker Arteta had in mind:

“I wonder if Mikel Arteta really wanted him as his main striker. There were a lot of doubts around this decision.”

While he praised Gyökeres' goalscoring ability — 52 goals in 54 appearances last season — Scholes pointed out that his success at Sporting came primarily through counter-attacking football, which contrasts sharply with Arsenal’s possession-based style.

Does Gyökeres Fit Arteta’s System?

Scholes explained that in European competitions, Gyökeres thrived in situations where he had space to run into, often launching attacks from midfield with his pace and power. But he warned that adapting to a team like Arsenal, which dominates possession, may require a different skill set.

“Is he smart enough to move in tight spaces without much room to run into? That remains to be seen,” said Scholes, who compared him to Alexander Isak, a striker he believes is more refined technically.

What Can Gyökeres Offer Arsenal?

What’s not in doubt is that the Swedish striker has a natural instinct for scoring and the physicality to compete at the top level. His Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City was one of the standout moments of last season and put him on the radar of Europe’s elite.

Arsenal ultimately won the race for his signature, and now Gyökeres faces the challenge of proving he can deliver at the highest level — and justify being the Gunners’ chosen No. 9.