Viktor Gyokeres critics 'don't understand football' as Arsenal star's coach fires back

Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has jumped to the defence of Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres following his early season critics and claims those taking shots at the frontman "don't understand football".

The Gunners spent £64million to land his services from Sporting Lisbon, where he was hugely prolific, but his numbers have dipped since coming to the Premier League. Gyokeres has established himself as the man to lead the line under Mikel Arteta, but the goals have not been as some expected.

The ex-Coventry City star has scored three times since moving to the Emirates, but is in the midst of a six-game goalless run, which has attracted criticism. Arsenal knew they needed a prolific No 9 to further their ambitions and landed on Gyokeres.

It was noted that playing in England's top flight would be a step up from his days in Portugal, but Gyokeres had also been effective in the Champions League. And now his national team boss has firmly come out in his defence.

Tomasson said on Monday: “Viktor Gyokeres is in very good form at the moment and is very good. If people say he doesn’t have an impact (on matches), then they don’t understand football and don’t have a clue about football. He creates space for other players, works on the ball and makes runs.

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“It’s excellent and he scores goals almost all the time, so he has an impact and has been very good. It’s always nice, as you need time when you come to a new club.”

The 27-year-old has scored 15 times for his country across his 28 outings for Sweden. 10 of those came in 2024 alone with the striker enjoying a prolific year for club and country. In November last year he scored four in a rout of Azerbaijan as Sweden look to make the World Cup for the first time since 2018.

Despite Gyokeres' lack of goals thus far his club team-mates are in no doubt he's adding huge value as they sit top of the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka said: "I think Viktor's playing really, really well. There's no doubt he's going to score goals. What he's bringing to this team, us as his team-mates, we're so grateful for what he does - how he holds the ball, how he makes the runs, the threat he gives us.

"He's a big part of the reason why we're winning these games. His goals will come. We know that, we believe that and we believe in him. I don't think there's any doubts. He's still up, he's still happy and he's still giving his best every game."

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