Paul Scholes Claims Arteta Was Forced Into Signing Viktor Gyokeres 

Paul Scholes suggests Mikel Arteta signing of Viktor Gyokeres was under pressure rather than as a first-choice striker solution

Paul Scholes has lit up debate over Arsenal’s transfer policy, claiming Mikel Arteta was forced into signing Viktor Gyokeres. On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the ex-Manchester United midfielder argued that external pressure, not Arteta’s vision, drove the £64 million deal.

According to Scholes, Gyokeres may have been “the last one available”, implying Arsenal’s hierarchy felt compelled to deliver a centre-forward after years of near misses in the Premier League title race.

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Arsenal’s pursuit of an elite goalscorer had dominated transfer discussions after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Despite Arteta building one of the league’s most cohesive squads, many believed the absence of a natural number nine was the final obstacle to a title.

That pressure peaked in the summer of 2025, when Arsenal moved decisively for Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP. The Swedish striker arrived with a formidable reputation, having scored 97 goals in 102 appearances in Portugal, and Arsenal expected him to provide the physical presence they had lacked.

Arteta had previously used Kai Havertz as a false nine and even deployed Mikel Merino centrally during injury crises. Gyokeres’ signing therefore signaled a statement of intent rather than a gamble.

Scholes questions whether Gyokeres was Arteta’s first choice

However, Scholes questioned the logic behind the move just months into the season. While acknowledging Gyokeres’ work rate and link-up play, he played down expectations around his goal output.

“I don’t think he’s ever going to be an unbelievable goalscorer, but I think the rest of the team will like playing with him,” Scholes said.

Nicky Butt agreed with those concerns, noting that Arsenal’s system has rarely revolved around a traditional striker. He argued that Gyokeres is still adapting to a team unaccustomed to playing through a central focal point.

The conversation turned sharper when Butt highlighted the pressure on Arteta to buy a striker, prompting Scholes to deliver his blunt verdict.

“I think Gyokeres was the last one available as well.”

Scholes’ claim gains traction when viewed alongside Arsenal’s summer transfer context. The club reportedly missed out on several preferred attacking options, including Benjamin Šeško, while others such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike ended up elsewhere.

That sequence of events has fuelled speculation that Gyokeres was a compromise signing, rather than Arteta’s ideal fit for a possession-dominant system.

Gyokeres’ slow start puts spotlight on recruitment strategy

Gyokeres’ numbers so far have failed to silence critics. The 27-year-old has scored six goals in 18 appearances, while his low involvement in certain matches — including just 15 touches in an 80-minute outing against Wolves — has highlighted ongoing adaptation issues.

Despite the scrutiny, Arteta has remained publicly supportive, urging his squad to improve service to their new striker and insisting Gyokeres’ impact extends beyond goals.

Scholes’ comments reopen a familiar debate around boardroom influence versus managerial control at elite clubs. Arsenal’s ambitious summer, which included eight signings, showed clear intent to end their title drought — but Gyokeres’ mixed start has placed recruitment decisions under the microscope.

If Scholes’ assessment proves accurate, it raises questions about whether Arteta compromised under pressure instead of executing his ideal attacking plan.

For now, the spotlight stays on Gyokeres. His performance in the second half of the season could decide whether fans view this transfer as pressure-driven panic or the final piece in Arsenal’s title puzzle.

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