LONDON – Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has jumped to the defense of teammate Viktor Gyökeres, as the Swedish international faces his first major “rough patch” since moving to the Emirates Stadium.
Despite a massive €63 million price tag and a stellar reputation from his time at Sporting CP, Gyökeres has struggled to replicate his prolific Portuguese form in the Premier League. The 27-year-old has managed just two goals in his last ten appearances, currently enduring a seven-game goal drought.
“I’ve Been There”: Jesus Calls for Patience
Speaking to GE, Gabriel Jesus emphasized the importance of supporting the new signing during this transition period.
“Vik is an incredible player. He can score at any time,” Jesus stated. “I’ve been in his position before, and it’s not easy. But everyone here supports him. Even when he’s not scoring, he contributes with his movement and his work rate. He does everything to help us win.”
Jesus, who has several years of Premier League experience, revealed he has been sharing advice with the Swede: “We are the same age, but I’ve played in England longer. We exchange opinions about scoring because he clearly understands the subject. He’s a top striker, and I’m sure he’ll find his rhythm soon.”
From Sporting Super-Star to Arsenal’s Adaptation Challenge
The contrast between Gyökeres’ current form and his record-breaking seasons at Sporting CP is stark. His numbers in Lisbon were elite:
- 2023/24: 43 goals in 50 matches.
- 2024/25: 54 goals in 52 matches.
At Sporting, his longest drought was a mere four games. At Arsenal, that mark has already been surpassed. His debut against Manchester United also drew criticism after he failed to register a single shot on goal, highlighting the physical step-up required for the English top flight.
Despite the slow start, the Arsenal faithful and the locker room remain confident that the “Swedish machine” will eventually click into gear.
Thiago Nuno is a football editor and analyst covering European leagues, match statistics, and transfer market trends.
