Ian Wright has given a balanced take on Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres’ time at the Emirates so far. He called the striker a “maybe” when reporters asked if the signing had been a success or a failure. In a recent report from Goaldata and Arsenal Zone, the Arsenal legend explained his thinking. He suggested that while the goals are okay, he still has questions about what else the player adds to the pitch.
Ian Wright delivers honest verdict on Viktor Gyokeres’ start to life at Arsenal
Wright argued that the Swedish forward has done his job if you only look at the score sheet. However, he insisted that fans should judge an Arsenal striker on his whole game. This suggests that Gyokeres still has to prove himself to the fans and the critics.
“A maybe, a maybe. If we’re judging him just on goals… you can probably say yeah (he’s met expectations), but you judge him on everything he’s bringing to the team,” said Wright.
The 27-year-old Sweden international moved to North London in July 2025 for about £63 million. He arrived as the clinical finisher Mikel Arteta’s side desperately needed. His first game against Manchester United was tough. Arteta took him off after an hour, which led to early doubts about whether he could handle the pace of the Premier League.
Since then, Gyokeres has had an up-and-down season. He had a quiet autumn where he struggled to link up with his teammates. But since the start of the year, his performances have really turned around.
How has the Swede performed of late?
As of February 13, 2026, the striker is in great form. He has scored big goals in recent wins against Sunderland, Leeds United, and Inter Milan. These strikes keep Arsenal in the title race. Still, Wright’s hesitation makes sense when looking at the striker’s overall play.
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He is definitely a physical threat, but he is still learning the smart movement needed for Arteta’s tactical setup. While the goals are flowing now, people are still wondering if he can do more than just put the ball in the net. For now, he stays in the maybe category.
