Sweden Manager Defends Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres: “Critics Don’t Understand Football”

Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson defends Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, insisting critics who question his impact “don’t understand football.

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres has come under fire for his recent goal drought, but Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson, defends him from critics, claiming that those who question the £63.5 million forward’s impact “do not understand football.”

Since joining Arsenal from Sporting Lisbon for £63.5 million, Gyokeres has been under intense scrutiny. With a stellar record of 97 goals in Portugal, the 27-year-old arrived with high expectations that he would revolutionize Arsenal’s attack.

Although he scored three goals early in the campaign, including a brace against Leeds, Gyokeres has now gone six matches without scoring. Critics have questioned whether his hefty transfer fee was justified, but both Mikel Arteta and Tomasson insist that his value extends far beyond goals.

Tomasson Hits Back at Critics

Speaking before Sweden’s World Cup qualifiers, as reported by Fotbollskanalen. Tomasson offered a passionate defense of the Arsenal forward:

“If people say he doesn’t have an impact on matches, then they don’t understand football,” Tomasson said.

He emphasized that Gyokeres’ influence cannot be measured by goals alone.

“He creates space, holds up play, presses relentlessly, and makes runs that open opportunities for others. Those things matter just as much as scoring,” the Swedish manager added.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also defended Gyokeres after the Gunners’ recent 2–0 Champions League win over Olympiacos.

“Apart from the goal, he did everything we ask from a striker,” Arteta said. “The way he links play, stretches defenses, and works for the team—it’s all there. The goals will come.”

Gyokeres’ relentless pressing and movement have been instrumental in Arsenal’s rise to the top of the Premier League table, even if his name hasn’t appeared on the scoresheet lately.

A Striker Who Does More Than Score

The debate around Viktor Gyokeres’ Arsenal criticism reveals a wider misunderstanding in modern football. Strikers today contribute in countless ways beyond goals—through pressing, movement, and build-up play.

With unwavering support from both his club manager and national coach, Gyokeres looks poised to silence doubters not only by scoring but by proving that his all-round game is vital to Arsenal’s success.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.

All links on ArsenalTalks Shop are affiliate links. We may earn commissions that support our content—at no extra cost to you. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.