<p><strong>Victor Gökeres arrived at the Emirates with high hopes after his £64 million transfer to Arsenal over the summer.</strong></p>However, despite setting several records during his tenure with Sporting Lisbon, the Swedish striker has faced considerable criticism since joining the Premier League.
In a recent match against Manchester United, where Arsenal lost 3-2, Gökeres found himself on the bench, failing to solidify his position as Mikel Arteta’s first choice.
There are already rumors that Arteta might be looking at alternatives for the 27-year-old forward, as some fans have voiced their frustrations over his performance.
Gökeres’ New Chapter in London
Having dominated domestically in Portugal and broken numerous records during his two-year stint at Sporting Lisbon, Gökeres built a reputation as a top striker.
The Swedish international netted an impressive 97 goals in 102 games after his transfer from Coventry in 2023, drawing attention from various top European clubs.
After finally ending his complex situation with Sporting in July, Gökeres joined Arsenal with significant expectations and a stellar reputation.
While Arteta has defended the hefty signing and praised his spatial awareness, the former Brighton player has only managed to score five goals in 21 Premier League matches this season.
Despite Arsenal fans yearning for a prolific striker, Gökeres has only been part of the scoring conversation 15% of the time this season.
Moreover, the internationally capped player hasn’t scored in the Premier League since November 1, even though he found the net last week against Inter Milan.
During the recent loss to Manchester United, he played a brief 30 minutes, leading to speculation that Arteta’s patience may be wearing thin.
Is it time for Victor Gokeres to be removed from Arsenal’s starting lineup? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/h2JKCh13e6
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) January 17, 2026
Could Alvarez be the Replacement?
Many football fans were surprised when Julián Álvarez transferred to Atletico Madrid for around £80 million in August 2024, yet he has continued to excel in Spain.
Even though Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola wishes to retain the 25-year-old, Alvarez opted against being a backup for Erling Haaland at the Etihad.
Making the bold choice to leave the Premier League giants, Alvarez had a successful first season in the Spanish capital, netting 29 goals across all competitions.
However, speculation has grown regarding a potential swift return to England, just 18 months after his move.
Reports have linked him to Chelsea and Liverpool, but recently Arsenal has also emerged as a contender for his signature.
Alvarez is reportedly open to a move to north London, and Arteta is believed to be an admirer of the former Manchester City forward.
Arsenal are considering signing Julian Alvarez 👀 pic.twitter.com/mxgOHCS0jf
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) January 23, 2026
</div><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the intense pressure on players to perform, especially after significant investments. The potential shift in Arsenal’s forward lineup could reshape their attacking strategy and overall competitiveness in the league, making every match even more thrilling for fans.
