'Critics of Gyokeres know nothing about football'

Coach Jon Dahl Tomasson spoke out in defense of Viktor Gyokeres amid criticism, affirming that the Arsenal striker is performing well and those who doubt him “do not understand football.”

Sweden’s head coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, publicly defended striker Viktor Gyokeres following criticism of his form at Arsenal, stating that “anyone claiming Gyokeres doesn’t influence the game simply doesn’t understand football.”

Viktor Gyokeres has gone six consecutive matches without scoring, causing some fans and experts to worry about his adaptation to English football. Some even argue that his presence disrupts Arsenal’s attacking flow.

Facing this wave of doubt, Coach Tomasson reacted strongly. During a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo, he emphasized:

“Gyokeres is currently in very good form. Anyone who criticizes him for not impacting the game simply does not understand football. He creates space for his teammates, moves intelligently, handles the ball well, and consistently generates scoring chances. He clearly has influence and is performing excellently.”

Since leaving Sporting CP to join Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window for £63.5 million (equivalent to €73.5 million), Gyokeres has scored 3 goals in 10 appearances across all competitions for Mikel Arteta’s side. He impressed notably by scoring in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, becoming only the third Arsenal player in history to score in both of the first two home Premier League games.

Statistics also somewhat support Tomasson’s view. According to Premier League data this season, among players with at least 15 shots, Gyokeres has an expected goals (xG) of 3.1, behind only Erling Haaland (7.8) and Antoine Semenyo (3.6). This shows he frequently places himself in good scoring positions, though luck has not yet favored him.

Moreover, the 2024/25 season was a memorable milestone for Gyokeres. The 27-year-old striker scored 39 goals, more than any player in Europe’s top 10 leagues, even surpassing Kylian Mbappe (31 goals).

Coach Tomasson believes it’s normal for Gyokeres to need more time to integrate into Arteta’s tactical system. “When you join a new club, especially in the Premier League, adapting always takes time. I believe Viktor will soon explode back into form”, he said.

Currently, Sweden is third in Group B with 1 point from two matches, and Gyokeres’ return to form will be crucial in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.