Arsenal’s New £63m Striker Faces Immediate Test as Former Manager Reveals Key Weakness
As Arsenal’s record signing Viktor Gyokeres gears up for his Premier League debut against Manchester United, his old boss Ruben Amorim has already pinpointed exactly how to stop him. The Swedish striker, who thrived under Amorim at Sporting Lisbon, will now face his former manager in a high-stakes opening weekend showdown—with the Portuguese coach’s past criticisms looming large.
From Record-Breaker to Arsenal’s Main Man
Gyokeres, 27, joined the Gunners last month in a deal that could rise to £63.4m after two sensational seasons in Portugal. Under Amorim’s guidance, he became one of Europe’s deadliest forwards, netting 54 goals last season alone. His hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League announced him as a genuine threat to any defense.
Yet despite his prolific form, Amorim—now in charge at Old Trafford—once delivered a brutally honest assessment of where his former star still needed work.
Amorim’s Blunt Assessment: “He Doesn’t Adapt”
Following Sporting’s Europa League exit to Atalanta in 2024, Amorim didn’t hold back:
“There’s a lot Gyokeres needs to improve on. He plays the same way against a slow or a fast centre-back. Everything he does in the Portuguese league, he does against Atalanta. He can still improve his understanding of the game.”
The United boss also highlighted Gyokeres’ defensive contributions as a weak spot, though he praised his ability to stretch defenses and force errors from tired defenders.
A Tactical Battle on Opening Day
Amorim had been linked with bringing Gyokeres to United, but the club’s lack of European football ended those hopes. Instead, the Swede became Arsenal’s marquee summer signing—and now faces an immediate reunion.
Sunday’s match will test whether Gyokeres has evolved beyond the flaws his former manager once identified. Can United’s defense exploit them? Or will the striker prove he’s now a complete forward, ready to dominate the Premier League?
One thing’s certain: Amorim knows Gyokeres better than most. Whether that translates into stopping him could shape both teams’ early-season momentum.
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