Arsenal Fans Accused of Wanting Viktor Gyokeres to Fail

Arsenal fans face criticism over Viktor Gyokeres as pundits question support for the striker despite strong results at the top.

Arsenal fans face criticism over Viktor Gyokeres after pundits claimed some sections of the fanbase want the striker to fail. Remarks made during a beIN SPORTS broadcast have angered many supporters, who argue the narrative is lazy, unfair, and completely detached from reality.

With Arsenal leading the Premier League, the timing of the criticism has only intensified the backlash.

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The debate gathered momentum after Richard Keys branded Arsenal supporters a “strange beast” following the win over Bournemouth. He claimed that many fans were “willing Viktor Gyokeres to fail,” a view agreed by Andy Gray.

Keys suggested frustration around Arsenal’s style of wins — including goals from set pieces — has unfairly landed on Gyokeres, despite the team’s position at the summit.

For many Arsenal fans, the comments felt less like analysis and more like provocation.

Gyokeres Arrived With Pressure — Not Resentment

Viktor Gyokeres did not stumble into north London. The striker pushed hard for the move, turned down alternatives, and joined Mikel Arteta’s long-term project after producing elite numbers at Sporting CP.

While his Arsenal start has not been explosive, it has been functional. Gyokeres presses relentlessly, occupies defenders, links play, and creates space for others — contributions that rarely trend on social media.

Comparisons to Erling Haaland have only warped expectations. Arsenal never signed a carbon copy of City’s striker — and never claimed to.

Declan Rice publicly praised Gyokeres, insisting Premier League defenders fear facing him and stressing Arsenal’s title push relies on his presence.

“We wouldn’t be flying high in the league without Viktor Gyokeres.”

That endorsement carries far more weight than studio soundbites.

Much of the Arsenal fans criticism of Gyokeres stems from online discourse, where opinions often blur into absolutes. Criticism exists — as it does for every striker — but wanting failure is a very different accusation.

Some supporters openly admit they preferred alternative signings. Others appear desperate for validation rather than success. That dynamic has little to do with Gyokeres himself and far more to do with modern football culture.

Importantly, questioning performances does not equal rooting for failure — a distinction pundits repeatedly ignore.

The response from Arsenal supporters has been swift and unified. Many have pointed out that criticism is part of football, but deliberate sabotage is a fiction.

Others have highlighted recent examples — including Kai Havertz — where patience paid off spectacularly. Arsenal under Arteta have grown precisely because the club learned when to back its players.

This saga feels less like an Arsenal issue and more like a symptom of instant-gratification culture. New signings are expected to dominate immediately or face relentless narratives.

Gyokeres is not struggling. Arsenal are winning. The team is top of the league.

That context matters.

Unity Remains Arsenal’s Real Strength

Viktor Gyokeres criticism will fade if trophies follow — and history suggests it will. Arteta’s success has come from unity, patience, and trust in the process.

Turning on a player who works relentlessly for the badge only undermines that foundation.

Support comes first. Everything else follows.

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