LONDON (Azat TV) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has affirmed that striker Viktor Gyokeres is now on the ‘right trajectory’ to unlocking his full potential, a development that is not only bolstering the club’s Premier League title challenge but also triggering significant performance-related add-on payments to his former club, Sporting. Gyokeres’s recent surge in form, marked by a prolific goal-scoring run, comes after initial adaptation challenges following his £54.8 million move last summer, validating the significant investment made by the Gunners.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s crucial Premier League clash against London rivals Chelsea, Arteta highlighted the importance of confidence and a sense of belonging for any player. He noted that Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal as one of the world’s most prolific strikers, is now experiencing those feelings, which are crucial for him to ‘really hit the levels that everybody expects.’ This shift in performance has seen the 27-year-old Sweden international silence early critics who had labeled him the ‘worst signing of the season,’ according to Yahoo Sports.
Viktor Gyokeres’s Resurgence and Arteta’s Confidence
Viktor Gyokeres has experienced a remarkable turnaround in form since the start of 2026, scoring eight goals in all competitions. This includes an impressive five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, notably a brace in Arsenal’s dominant 4-1 North London derby victory over Tottenham. His current tally of 10 league goals already surpasses any Arsenal player’s total from the previous season, as reported by Sky Sports.
Arteta acknowledged the initial challenges Gyokeres faced, explaining that the transition from Sporting to Arsenal involved adapting to a different league, a new game model, and unfamiliar teammates, all while shouldering the expectations of wearing the coveted number 9 shirt. However, the manager now observes a player ‘playing with more freedom’ and displaying an intense, yet transparent, character. ‘He [looks like] he wants to kill you!’ Arteta remarked, highlighting Gyokeres’s demanding nature, but quickly added, ‘he’s a really nice guy, he’s really open… he’s got that look in his eyes when he looks at you; he can look a bit intimidating, yeah.’ This growing confidence and comfort within the squad are seen as fundamental pillars to his improved performance.
Financial Implications of Gyokeres’s Form
Gyokeres’s impressive performances are not just a boon for Arsenal on the pitch; they are also activating a series of add-on clauses in his transfer agreement with Sporting. While Arsenal initially paid £54.8 million for the striker, the total fee could rise to £63.5 million based on various performance-related metrics. According to Yahoo Sports, Arsenal could pay an additional £3.5 million in add-ons before the current season concludes.
These clauses include payments for goal and assist milestones. Sporting is due £436,000 every time Gyokeres reaches 20 combined goals and assists, a fee that can be triggered again, capped at £873,000. Additionally, Arsenal has already paid £1.1 million after Gyokeres made 20 appearances of 45 minutes or more this season, with further payouts of £1.1 million due for every subsequent 10 appearances, up to a total cap of £4.4 million for 80 appearances. Another significant add-on relates to Arsenal’s qualification for the Champions League, which would see Sporting receive £874,000 each time the Gunners reach Europe’s elite club competition, capped at £3.5 million. These mounting payments underscore the tangible financial impact of Gyokeres’s current output.
Arsenal’s Title Pursuit and Gyokeres’s Role
As Arsenal prepares to face Chelsea, with their Premier League lead potentially narrowing, Gyokeres’s goal-scoring prowess becomes even more critical. Legendary Arsenal striker Ian Wright has suggested that Gyokeres would have a ‘successful season’ if he finishes the campaign with 15 league goals, a target he is now well on track to achieve. His ability to consistently find the back of the net provides a vital edge as the Gunners aim to maintain their position at the top of the table after three consecutive seasons of finishing as runners-up.
Arteta emphasized the team’s preparation, stating that past results against Chelsea are ‘irrelevant’ given the changing dynamics of each game. The team’s collective spirit, fostered by recent team-building activities despite not traveling abroad, is also seen as a crucial factor. Gyokeres’s current form, coupled with the squad’s cohesion, positions Arsenal strongly for the demanding final stretch of the season.
The resurgence of Viktor Gyokeres represents a significant turning point for Arsenal, transforming what was initially perceived as a challenging adaptation period into a period of validated investment, directly influencing both the club’s financial commitments and their aspirations for a Premier League title.