Viktor Gyokeres has built his reputation as one of Europe’s most physically dominant strikers. Strong, direct and relentless in front of goal, the Swedish international is the kind of forward who constantly occupies centre-backs, stretches defensive lines and creates chances through sheer power and movement.
His rise, however, has not been overnight. Struggling in the lower divisions of England and Germany, he moved to Liga Portugal club Sporting CP in 2023. Gyokeres took the league by storm, scoring 97 goals and assisting 28 times in just 102 appearances. He quickly earned the spotlight of big clubs, making his move to Arsenal in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of £64 million, including add-ons.
Since he arrived at the Emirates, Gyokeres has not lived up to expectations. Once known as a quick, strong and direct striker able to run the channels, he has become a shadow of his former self. Struggling with his first touch, poor in hold-up play and stagnant in the final third.
Despite his poor performances on the pitch, his numbers sing a different song. Gyokeres has netted 21 times while assisting thrice for the league leaders this season, helping them in their efforts to compete on the biggest stages in club football.
One such stage is the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal faced Atletico Madrid in the semi finals, winning 2-1 on aggregate. Gyokeres scored a penalty in the 1st leg at the Metropolitano, ensuring Arsenal come back home with the scoreline level. Arsenal beat Atletico in the return leg at the Emirates, thanks to a Bukayo Saka goal.
Although Gyokeres’ name was not on the scoresheet, his role was crucial in his team’s success in the 2nd leg. Gyokeres looked like his Sporting self again, running the channels, engaging defenders in physical duels, and making runs in behind; he did it all. He was like a relentless battering ram, trying to knock down the Atletico defence. Eventually, one of his runs in behind led him to cross the ball into Leandro Trossard, whose shot was saved and deflected by Oblak, leading to Saka’s winner. That was the lone goal in the match, sending Arsenal to their first Champions League final since 2006.
The finals will be held at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Arsenal will be facing the current champions, PSG, where Arsenal will be looking to win their first European title since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
Gyokeres took to social media after his club’s success, celebrating reaching the finals in Budapest.
The caption of this post left fans confused as to what Gyokeres meant by “back to the roots”. It was later revealed that Gyokeres is of Hungarian descent and holds dual citizenship for Sweden and Hungary. Gyokeres’ Hungarian heritage comes from his paternal grandfather, who had immigrated to Sweden during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Furthermore, the name ‘Gyokeres’ itself means “rooted” in Hungarian (MyHeritage, n.d.).
📲 Viktor Gyökeres on Instagram: “Back to the roots ❤️🔥”
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 5, 2026
Gyökeres has Hungarian descent through his paternal grandfather, who emigrated from Hungary to Sweden during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. 🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/y5wleCF343
Gyokeres was referring to Arsenal’s Champions League final taking place in Budapest.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping Gyokeres builds on the momentum from the 2nd leg, going into the finals. Gyokeres’ role will be key for Arteta’s men to stand a chance against Enrique‘s relentless PSG. PSG do not offer any breathing space to their opponents, pressing them from the moment the whistle is blown. Arteta will be looking at Gyokeres to help out in situations like these, asking his defenders and keeper to play long in an attempt to break the lines of press.
PSG’s intense high pressing system needs them to play a high line, which could be made vulnerable with efficient long, line-breaking passes, similar to what Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea did against them in their Club World Cup final victory.
Hence, Gyokeres running the channels will be crucial to Arsenal’s attack, with their wingers having enough on their plate with the PSG fullbacks Nuno Mendes and Hakimi/Zaire-Emery; Gyokeres will be looked at as the outlet. His role will be to make runs in behind their high-line, while also engaging in duels with Marquinhos and Pacho, who are the backbone of the defence. If Gyokeres can do this role well, Arsenal’s wingers can exploit space on the flanks during counterattacks, posing a real threat to PSG.
He will be hoping to make it a memorable return for the ‘Gyokeres’ name in Hungary, with the match offering him a chance to win the biggest trophy in club football in a country rooted in his family background.
REFERENCES:
(1) afcstuff on X: “📲 Viktor Gyökeres on Instagram: ‘Back to the roots ❤️🔥’ Gyökeres has Hungarian descent through his paternal grandfather, who emigrated from Hungary to Sweden during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. 🇭🇺 https://t.co/y5wleCF343” / X. (n.d.). X (Formerly Twitter). https://x.com/afcstuff/status/2051810914903425446?s=20
MyHeritage. (n.d.). Gyokeres Last Name — Surname Origins & Meanings – MyHeritage. MyHeritage. https://lastnames.myheritage.com/last-name/gyokeres
Peat, C. (n.d.). 14 facts you didn’t know about Viktor Gyokeres | Feature | News. 14 Facts You Didn’t Know About Viktor Gyokeres. https://www.arsenal.com/news/14-facts-you-didnt-know-about-viktor-gyokeres
Sky Sports. (2025, July 27). Viktor Gyokeres joins Arsenal: Sporting striker completes transfer to Premier League club signing five-year deal. Sky Sports. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13401260/viktor-gyokeres-joins-arsenal-sporting-striker-completes-transfer-to-premier-league-club-signing-five-year-deal
Viktor Gyökeres – Stats 25/26. (n.d.). Transfermarkt. https://www.transfermarkt.com/viktor-gyokeres/leistungsdaten/spieler/325443/plus/0
Viktor Gyökeres (@viktorgyokeres) • Instagram photos and videos. (n.d.). Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOjvfubDIGr/
Wikipedia contributors. (2026a, May 5). Viktor Gyökeres. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Gy%C3%B6keres#Personal_life
Wikipedia contributors. (2026b, May 7). 2006 UEFA Champions League final. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_UEFA_Champions_League_final
Wikipedia contributors. (2026c, May 7). 2026 UEFA Champions League final. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_UEFA_Champions_League_final
