Viktor Gyokeres’ arrival at Arsenal has been one of the most talked-about moves of the Premier League summer. After lighting up the Portuguese league with Sporting CP, the Swedish striker made his way to North London with high expectations riding on his broad shoulders. Three league goals into his debut campaign, Gyokeres’ journey so far has been a fascinating blend of promise, challenge, and adaptation—both for the player himself and for Arsenal fans hoping he’s the answer to their attacking prayers.
Gyokeres’ adjustment to the Premier League has been anything but straightforward. While he’s already found the net three times, the transition from Portuguese football to the high-octane, physical world of England’s top flight has presented its own unique set of challenges. Nowhere has this been more evident than in his recent performances, where moments of brilliance have been juxtaposed with flashes of frustration—especially when it comes to the Premier League’s notoriously robust officiating.
Fans watching Arsenal’s heated clash with Newcastle witnessed Gyokeres at the heart of controversy. The striker, known for his powerful runs and physical presence, was left aggrieved after a penalty decision in his favor was overturned. The situation escalated further during a fiery encounter with Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles. These incidents have sparked debate among supporters and pundits alike: Is Gyokeres being refereed differently because of his size and style, or is he simply facing the steep learning curve that comes with a move to the world’s most competitive league?
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has weighed in on the issue, offering valuable insight into the way top-flight officials approach players like Gyokeres. Speaking to TBR Football, Clattenburg dismissed the notion that big-name or physically imposing players are singled out by referees. “From my experience and watching since I retired, big players do not get refereed differently,” he explained. Instead, he pointed to the tactical reality of the Premier League: “Of course, it’s natural for the big-name players to be tactically marked, which could create physical duels which the referee will have to deal with.”
Clattenburg went on to highlight the defining characteristic of English football. “The Premier League has always been a physical league compared to other leagues around the world, and referees allow more physical contact, which players have to learn very quickly and adapt.” For Gyokeres, that adaptation is still underway. The Swedish international, used to a different rhythm and level of contact in Portugal, is now learning how to ride tackles, absorb bumps, and play through the kind of challenges that might have drawn whistles elsewhere.
It’s not just the officials and opposition defenders who are watching Gyokeres’ adaptation closely. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been a vocal supporter of his new striker, publicly backing the Swede through this period of adjustment. Arteta’s faith in Gyokeres has been evident both in his team selections and his comments to the press. Earlier this month, the Arsenal boss praised Gyokeres’ growing influence, saying, “What I sense is that he’s doing better and better things every game, and today he was denied a few times on one of the blocks, and then he hit the post, but I think overall his performance was exceptional.”
Arteta’s appreciation goes beyond mere goal-scoring. “Again, his work was really good, and yeah, we want him to be scoring goals, but if he doesn’t do that, at least to do everything as he’s doing for the team, because he’s helping the team a lot.” That work rate—the willingness to chase lost causes, press defenders, and fight for every inch—is quickly becoming Gyokeres’ calling card at the Emirates. It’s also a trait that’s likely to endear him to the Arsenal faithful, who have long appreciated strikers willing to put in the hard yards, even when the goals aren’t flowing.
Behind the scenes, there has been speculation that Gyokeres might not have been Arteta’s first-choice number nine had Kai Havertz been fully fit at the start of the season. But football, as ever, is a game of opportunities taken and roles redefined. With Havertz sidelined, Gyokeres has been thrust into the spotlight, and while the adjustment hasn’t been seamless, there’s a growing sense that he’s beginning to find his feet.
Some of the difficulties Gyokeres has faced are hardly unique. The Premier League has long been a graveyard for talented imports who struggled to adapt to its pace and physicality. The difference for Gyokeres, perhaps, is his resilience. Time and again, he’s shown a willingness to bounce back—literally and figuratively—after being knocked down by defenders or denied by referees. Each match offers a new lesson, and each lesson seems to make him a little stronger, a little wiser, and a little more dangerous for opposition defenses.
As for the officiating itself, Clattenburg’s comments serve as a reminder that the Premier League is a different beast from its continental counterparts. Referees are instructed to let the game flow, to avoid breaking up play for minor infractions, and to trust players to handle the physical side of the sport. For Gyokeres, that means learning when to go down, when to play through contact, and how to use his own strength to his advantage. It’s a process, and one that’s still unfolding with each passing week.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s season is shaping up to be a test of both squad depth and tactical flexibility. With Gyokeres leading the line, Arteta has a striker who can occupy defenders, create space for teammates, and—when the stars align—find the back of the net himself. The goals may not be coming in torrents just yet, but the signs of progress are there for all to see. As Arteta put it, “he’s helping the team a lot”—and sometimes, that’s just as important as scoring hat-tricks.
For Arsenal fans, the hope is that Gyokeres’ adaptation continues apace. If he can marry his natural talent with a full understanding of the Premier League’s demands—both physical and tactical—there’s every reason to believe he could become a key figure in the club’s push for silverware. For now, all eyes remain on the Swede as he navigates the highs and lows of English football, learning, growing, and, above all, fighting for every chance that comes his way.
With the season still young and plenty of football left to play, Viktor Gyokeres’ story at Arsenal is far from finished. Each game brings new challenges and opportunities, and as he continues to adapt, both he and Arsenal fans will be hoping the best is yet to come.
