After a slow start following his £63.5m move from Sporting, Viktor Gyokeres is finally hitting top form at Arsenal in 2026

Viktor Gyokeres is beginning to justify Arsenal’s hefty summer investment after a slow but steady adaptation to life in North London. 

The Swedish striker, who joined from Sporting for £63.5 million, has found his rhythm at the start of 2026 and is rapidly becoming a central figure in Mikel Arteta’s attack.

His impact was clear at the weekend when he came off the bench to score twice against Sunderland, continuing a superb run of form since the turn of the year. Sharp, decisive and confident in front of goal, Gyokeres now looks fully integrated into Arsenal’s system and is playing a vital role in keeping the Gunners at the top end of the table.

Gyokeres in his groove. pic.twitter.com/x0oFP2JZvi

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 12, 2026

Expectations were understandably high after his prolific campaign in Portugal, where he racked up 39 league goals and eight assists for Sporting. Arsenal moved quickly to secure his signature, but the transition to the Premier League proved more challenging than anticipated. Injuries and the need to adjust to a new tactical structure delayed his breakthrough.

It wasn’t until December, and more convincingly in January, that the explosive version of Gyokeres began to reappear. Since then, his numbers have spoken for themselves, with six goals and two assists in eight matches across all competitions since mid-January. His movement inside the box and growing understanding with teammates have transformed Arsenal’s attacking fluidity.

Arteta recently highlighted consistency as the key to the striker’s resurgence. “He shows it every day in training,” the Arsenal manager said, praising Gyokeres’ relentless self-demand and focus on improving relationships and combinations on the pitch. 

Viktor Gyokeres: the in-form Premier League striker in 2026? 🔥🎭 pic.twitter.com/HjwUHS8Lq7

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 7, 2026

Even amid fierce competition for the starting spot, Gyokeres has demonstrated his value. Despite starting on the bench against Sunderland, he changed the game almost instantly with one of his first touches. He has also proven effective in Europe, scoring in limited minutes against Inter in the Champions League, another example of his growing reliability in decisive moments.

Yet the 27-year-old remains grounded. Speaking after the 3-0 win over Sunderland, he admitted he is far from the finished article. “You can always do better and improve,” he said, stressing the importance of maintaining belief and focus. With renewed confidence and momentum on his side, Gyokeres appears poised to play a defining role in Arsenal’s push for silverware in the second half of the season.